Charles Clinton Bush

On Wednesday, June 1st, 2016 one very unique, kind, caring, loving heart took its final and last beat here on earth. The chapters were all written in his book of life and the ending was a final closure of the life he led here with all his friends and family. Charles Clinton Bush (age 71) or better known as "Charlie" to all breathed his last with a heart that was very tired and troubled at times along with a body that became stressed with age and medical issues over the years that finally called his time on earth complete. He was the 2nd child born 13 months after his older brother on the 12th day of August 1944 to (Doc) Clarence Andrew Bush and M. Darleen (Clark) Bush of Beach ND. He was known in the family as the protector and caregiver to many. It seemed that his life would always take a back seat while he gave more than he received in his life never expecting more from it. It was just his born nature of going the extra mile for others, first and foremost. He received his early education in Beach ND at a private church school 1st thru 8th grade. After completing those grades he moved on to high school where he finished that in 3 years attending Sheyenne River Academy in Harvey ND and then moving on to MT Ellis Academy in Bozeman MT. Immediately following his high school years he went off to college at Walla Walla where he earned his BA in English. Throughout his high school and college years he never chose to walk in his graduations, that just wasn’t for him. After his 1st college run he joined the United States Army in August 1968 as a Medical Corpsman and was honorably discharged in February of 1974. He served overseas in the Vietnam War and also worked at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC. After being discharged from the military he went back to college for his RN degree at the Dickinson State University in Dickinson ND. He worked for his father at the 2 previous hospital locations in Beach. He later became administrator of the Golden Valley Manor for several years which was a job that he dearly loved and had such a true passion for the elderly in caring for them. He took a "wild" adventure in the late 70's early 80's and placed a bid on a closed restaurant and unbeknownst to him he was the "lucky" winner of what became Charlie’s Cafe for several years. Charlie’s Cafe was well known for their fried chicken night on Mondays as well as the large homemade caramel and cinnamon rolls and of course his wide selection of tasty pies and homemade cookies. He didn’t know anything about how to run a cafe but he sure enjoyed learning how and I think he became pretty good at it as his fellow co-workers state he was "The best boss they ever had". He was also involved with several rental properties around the town of Beach that he helped his mother with over the years. Some of the neat stories from meeting people that use to rent from him state that if they had fallen in hard times he would let their rent slide and ask if they needed anything always checking on them and when they were able he would start collecting rent from them again. He headed back to the Golden Valley County Hospital to work for a few more years before it was due to close in the early 90's. He worked in the 90's at the Wibaux County Nursing Home of which was another well loved job of his. After leaving the nursing home job he ventured to Glendive where he commuted from Beach to Glendive for his work there at Eastmont until it closed its doors. After leaving Eastmont, he worked at the Vets Nursing Home in Glendive for a few years. He went for a change from the elderly and disabled to working in the Glendive State Prison there as the nurse for a few years, not a job that he liked by any means but he said he learned so much in doing so. In between all of his work places he still found time to attend college in Glendive and get his medical transcriptionist degree as well as taking some hobby classes in photography, art and music. He was always like a sponge that was thirsty for more knowledge in learning about anything. I think he would of been the happiest just staying in college and taken everything they offered. He was an avid reader and loved history and also knew the history of the town of Beach and all that lived there, as well as the surrounding communities. He enjoyed a "good" conversation and it was hard to peel him away from someone that he was visiting with. He enjoyed oil painting, ceramics, making gorgeous quilts with his dear and close friends Forest and Rosemary Hodges along with John Foster. The last few years found him doing crafts in crocheting from making hats for adults and babies in the hospital as well as pot holders and he even tried his luck at making jewelry. He loved doing leather work, writing his own music of which he was a lover of jazz and classical music. He learned to play the piano beautifully at a young age and later on bought his dream piano which was a white baby grand that now belongs to his niece as he gifted it to her years ago. He also played the clarinet and the according. He would spend hours in the kitchen cooking and baking and shared special memories with his sister in doing so when they were younger by hanging out in the cabin on the place and making up some pretty interesting meals to try even using goose eggs in the recipes. He also loved to jitterbug and 2 step but his favorite was the jitterbug and he taught a few of us how but no one could really match his steps he had. His biggest rewards in life seem to be those of his constant giving to others whether it was family or friends he was always showering them with some special gift or something. His gifts were not small by any means either. He challenged himself several times in reading the bible thru from start to finish a couple times and also studied in depth all of the religions. He still remained a 7th Day Adventist up to the end. His next favorite religion was Catholic as he found the religion very intriguing. He had a huge love for horses and owned many in his time and use to ride faithfully. Along with several dogs and a few pet birds were all his animals of choice. His weakness was shopping which is rare for a man but he dearly loved to go shopping where his wardrobe would be doubled in size. He loved taking long drives and just seeing the country side. He also loved to plant a rather large garden that was only suppose to be a few rows long that turned into what seemed like an acre long. Charlie was a huge practical jokester he always had something up his sleeve it seemed from scaring someone to spraying them with water you just never knew what was coming up next when he was around. Things changed shortly and his joke playing was never the same after he went thru triple bye pass surgery in 2014. He survived it, but it was a tough road for him to get thru and he was a changed person greatly after that and never quit felt up to pare. Our brother, uncle and friend is missed beyond words from his unique voice and laugh that he had to his well known knowledge that he loved to share and his big ole bear hugs to his gracious and giving gifts. Rest easy Charlie your time on earth may not have always been a smile along the way but you sure endured the storms that were thrown your way. Loving you beyond the stars until we meet again. Charlie was proceeded in death by his father (Doc Bush) Clarence in 1975 his brother Carl in 1994 his mother M. Darleen in 1999 and a niece Stephanie Bush in 2006. Surviving Charlie is a brother Clarence Bush Jr. of Fresno CA, sister(s) Karen Elliott of Paw Paw, Michigan, Cheryl (Kent) Shaw of Beach ND, Clareen (Paul) Lester of Rapid City SD, Lindy Iwaniuk of Cabot Arkansas, Cindy Bush of New England ND, brother Christopher Bush of Beach ND, and sister Missy (Jeff) Nelson of Wibaux MT. 3 very special nieces whom he was extremely close too and adored more than anything were Jacey, Madison and Morgan Nelson. Along with numerous other nieces and nephews. And a special namesake nephew "Charlie". The family of Charlie Bush would like to thank each and everyone of you that have been there for us and continue to be there for us since his untimely passing. May God bless each of you! Silha Funeral Home of Beach was entrusted with the arrangements.

Charles Clinton Bush

August 12, 1944 - June 1, 2016

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Charles Clinton Bush

August 12, 1944 - June 1, 2016

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support