Charles (Charley) Mason Rush
Charles (Charley) Mason Rush, 82 formerly of Charles Town, passed away peacefully Friday, March 11, 2016 under the care of Hospice Compassus and AccentCare at his home in Maricopa, Arizona.
Charley was born in Shepherdstown, on Sept. 14, 1933, to the late William Jacob and Sarah Cavalier Rush.
After graduating from Shepherdstown High School in 1952, Charley attended Shepherd College.
Charley served as a Private First Class in the United States Army, was stationed in England and subsequently received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Medal.
Charley was a long-time employee of the thoroughbred racing industry, initially as a mutual clerk and counter in the money room at Shenandoah Downs, Pimlico and Laurel Race Tracks and subsequently as money room division head at the Charles Town Races, retiring in 2005 after 55 years of service.
He was an avid chef who delighted in cooking and creating for his family and friends. During a closure period of the racetrack in 1996, he formalized his skills by attending the James Rumsey Technical Institute and obtaining a degree in Culinary Arts. He also served as a judge for the official Kansas City Barbeque Society and wrote a cookbook called “Charley’s Delights.”
He moved to Arizona in the fall of 2014 where he enjoyed the weather, friends, his home and another favorite pastime, golf, until his health began to decline.
He is survived by his daughter, Amy McSherry Rush of Martinsburg; his sister, Sarah Ann Higham and her husband Joseph of Georgetown, Texas; cousin Mary Beth Dotten of Fredicksburg, Virginia; niece Susan Higham-Monasterio and her husband Alexis and great niece Sarah of Weston, Florida; nephews Tim Higham of Austin; Russell Higham and his wife Deborah of Waco, Texas; William and Bobby Rush of Baltimore, Maryland; and Rebecca Voshell of Boise, Idaho; and good friends, Steve and Cynthia Portrey of Maricopa.
His parents and his brother, William Rush of Baltimore, preceded him in death.
Graveside services, with arrangements by Brown Funeral Homes will be scheduled at Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown, at a future date. Announcements of this service will be published. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle in Kearneysville, WV hospice@hospiceotp.org.