Col. Charles E. Bush (Ret.)

Charles E. Bush, Col. U.S. Army (Ret), 84, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, died June 26, 2015, in Cheyenne. Charles was born to William and Viola Lilly Bush on February 4, 1931. Charles' grandmother, Patience, raised Charles with his dad until he graduated from Alda High School as a Regents Scholar. He married Marilyn Smith in 1950 while attending college. In June 1952, Charles graduated from the University of Nebraska as 1 of 5 Distinguished Military Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Education and earned a Master of Arts in Education in 1955 from the University of Colorado. Charles' military career expanded over three decades while serving in five branches: Infantry, Field Artillery (8" Towed), Air Defense (Nike Hercules), Military Intelligence (VN), Pershing 1A Missiles (Battalion Commander) and best of all the assignments, the Wyoming Army National Guard from 1979 to 1983. Charles retired from the military after 31 years and continued to work for the civilian sector as an education and human factors engineering specialist, including safety specialist for the demolition of Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, Colorado. Charles and Marilyn moved 33 times in their 64 years of marriage. Their three children, Michael, Kerry, Jeffrey, spouses and grand children live in Colorado, Wyoming and South Korea. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marie, Jessie, Mildred and Ella; and brother, William "Bill' Bush. A military burial ceremony will take place at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska on July 1, 2015 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.woundedwarriorproject.org