One of Bulloch County's most well-known businessmen, Thomas Edward “Eddie” Rushing, Jr., 80, died early Friday at his residence under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice.
The owner of T.E. Rushing Peanut Company, Rushing was remembered Friday by friends as being a "fine Christian man" and a good friend.
"Eddie and I played a lot of golf together," said Tal Callaway. "He was such a fun guy."
He recalled how Rushing would always bring him great quantities of peanuts to boil, and how they would ride together to play a round of golf.
"He was such a fine Christian man," he said. "I don't know anybody who didn't like Eddie."
Connie Averitt said she and her late husband Hal enjoyed a longtime friendship with Rushing and his wife Polly, who passed away earlier.
"We've been friends since 1960," she said. "I have fond memories of them. He was a strong person, and put up a courageous fight to the very end."
Rushing was a native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County. He was a member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church and was in the Dan Williams Sunday school class.
Rushing made a great impact on Statesboro and Bulloch County on the agribusiness world. He served on the Sea Island Bank Board for many years, was a Statesboro city councilman for sixteen years and served as fire commissioner.
He was a past member of the Statesboro Rotary Club and a member of the Gridiron Club.
He also worked with former president Jimmy Carter on the Southeastern Peanut Warehouseman's Association before Carter became governor, and the family friendship endured, with the Rushings once visiting the Carters at the White House for lunch.
"I did business with him a long time," said Jimmy Blitch. "You couldn't find anybody to do business with and have as a friend. You could just count on him. He was one of the finest people I've ever been associated with."
Wayne Akins recalled Rushing as "one who made every effort to make the meetings, make the social engagements, the business gatherings," even in his deteriorating health. "Whether he was feeling well or not, he was there. He was always a great encouragement."
Rushing is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Angie and William Hoyt of Atlanta; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tommie and Linda Rushing and Stevie and Debbie Rushing, all of Statesboro; one sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Lamar Trapnell; one brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Hilda Rushing, all of Statesboro and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Rushing will be held Saturday from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Sunday at 2:30 P.M. at the Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Cason, Dr. John Waters, and Bruce Yawn officiating.
Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.
Rushing "will be greatly missed by everyone who was associated with him," Akins said. "He was very much engaged in everything going on. He was a super, super guy."
"He was very thoughtful and he went out of his way to do for other people," Callaway said. "He was a good friend and neighbor."
Rushing leaves behind "a lot of fond memories," Blitch said, recalling several business trips with Rushing. "I really enjoyed his company."
The owner of T.E. Rushing Peanut Company, Rushing was remembered Friday by friends as being a "fine Christian man" and a good friend.
"Eddie and I played a lot of golf together," said Tal Callaway. "He was such a fun guy."
He recalled how Rushing would always bring him great quantities of peanuts to boil, and how they would ride together to play a round of golf.
"He was such a fine Christian man," he said. "I don't know anybody who didn't like Eddie."
Connie Averitt said she and her late husband Hal enjoyed a longtime friendship with Rushing and his wife Polly, who passed away earlier.
"We've been friends since 1960," she said. "I have fond memories of them. He was a strong person, and put up a courageous fight to the very end."
Rushing was a native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County. He was a member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church and was in the Dan Williams Sunday school class.
Rushing made a great impact on Statesboro and Bulloch County on the agribusiness world. He served on the Sea Island Bank Board for many years, was a Statesboro city councilman for sixteen years and served as fire commissioner.
He was a past member of the Statesboro Rotary Club and a member of the Gridiron Club.
He also worked with former president Jimmy Carter on the Southeastern Peanut Warehouseman's Association before Carter became governor, and the family friendship endured, with the Rushings once visiting the Carters at the White House for lunch.
"I did business with him a long time," said Jimmy Blitch. "You couldn't find anybody to do business with and have as a friend. You could just count on him. He was one of the finest people I've ever been associated with."
Wayne Akins recalled Rushing as "one who made every effort to make the meetings, make the social engagements, the business gatherings," even in his deteriorating health. "Whether he was feeling well or not, he was there. He was always a great encouragement."
Rushing is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Angie and William Hoyt of Atlanta; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tommie and Linda Rushing and Stevie and Debbie Rushing, all of Statesboro; one sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Lamar Trapnell; one brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Hilda Rushing, all of Statesboro and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Rushing will be held Saturday from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Sunday at 2:30 P.M. at the Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Cason, Dr. John Waters, and Bruce Yawn officiating.
Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.
Rushing "will be greatly missed by everyone who was associated with him," Akins said. "He was very much engaged in everything going on. He was a super, super guy."
"He was very thoughtful and he went out of his way to do for other people," Callaway said. "He was a good friend and neighbor."
Rushing leaves behind "a lot of fond memories," Blitch said, recalling several business trips with Rushing. "I really enjoyed his company."