On Jan. 5, 2022, Brock Rush, 45, passed away in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at the home of his mother, who cared for him for the last seven years. Brock was born Sept. 18, 1976, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and resided in Harviell, Missouri. He married Laura French in 2007. Together they have two children, Landen, 13, and Molly, 11. After their divorce, Brock and Laura were a team and a great example for co-parenting. Brock’s joy was his children. He had many health challenges; with the help of his mom, he was able to be at his children’s sporting and school events. He sat in his wheelchair in all kinds of weather at their soccer games. He attended all their basketball games, and never missed any of their activities at school. He supported Landen and Molly in all their endeavors and loved them with all his heart.
Brock lived life without regret, and to the fullest. He experienced all he could in life and met his health challenges with courage. He was a support to fellow amputees, and an inspiration to others with chronic illnesses.
Brock was a very generous soul. He championed abused women and children. He coordinated a collection drive for and donated to the Haven House. He donated toys to children at a local church. Brock would see children without appropriate shoes playing at his kid’s school basketball games and would purchase shoes for those children. Brock graduated from PBHS; while there he lettered in varsity soccer as a half back and ran track.
Brock shared many things with his children. Landen and he shared a love for ball python snakes and together they owned seven. Molly and her dad watched “Frozen” at least 100 times.
Brock is survived by his parents, Karen and Bill Slicer of Jonesboro, Gary Rush, father, and Ronald Rush, grandfather, both of Harviell, Missouri; his children, Landen and Molly, and their mother Laura, of Fairdealing, Missouri; sister, Lorelei Yates (Rob) of Jonesboro; aunts and uncle, Pam Rublaitus (Don), and Kim Stenger, all of Poplar Bluff; niece and nephew, Myles and Gracybelle Yates; and cousins, BriAnne Riggins (San, Katie Ellison (Joseph) and JonAndrew Stenger.
Preceding him in death were grandparents Robert and Jean Whitfield, and Lily Pearl Rush; sister Nikki Slicer and uncle Fred Stenger.
Also surviving is an incredibly special person to Brock, Angie “Big Mom” Swasho. She was a best friend and second mom to him and spent countless hours over the past several years caring for him.
Brock was graced with many caring friends, including Dustin Vance of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Angie’s family, and Jimi Waggoner of Poplar Bluff, who was always willing to help in any way needed.
Brock met his best friend, Coby Carter, in preschool, and was honored to be godfather to Coby’s son.
Brock loved tie dyed T-shirts and the NBA Celtics; as we gather on Monday to celebrate his life, we ask that you wear something tie dyed or NBA related. In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at Southern Bank in the name of Brock Rush, to benefit his children’s future educations.
A gathering of family and friends will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel at 1100 Iron Bridge Road in Poplar Bluff.
Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Brock Rush.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.willowridgefcs.com.