Linda Bush Cragar

Linda Ann Bush Cragar was born June 17, 1938, in Tuckerman Arkansas, the daughter of Francis and Norene Bush. She ascended into heaven to be with the rest of the angels late in the afternoon, on January 10, 2024. Linda grew up in northeast Arkansas in the small hamlet of Tuckerman where she excelled as both student (salutatorian) and athlete. A slim 5’9”, wavy raven hair,and impossibly blue eyes, she became the star of Tuckerman High School’s Fighting Bulldogs basketball team, where she famously sank 16 straight “free shots” to clinch victory in a district tournament game over the Morrilton Devil Dogs. After graduation from high school, she attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) in Conway where she earned a degree in elementary education while simultaneously courting her future husband, Darryl Edward Cragar. The newly married Cragars, who would remain in matrimony for 64 blissful years, moved to Freeport in 1960. In the early years of marriage, Darryl worked as a chemist at Dow Chemical and Linda taught third grade at Elizabet Ney, Lake Jackson’s first elementary school. She would later tell her children that those six years, in their humble abundance, were beyond anything she imagined. More perfection arrived with the birth of her daughter, Mary Linda, and the young beauty happily adapted to her new role as a stay-at-home mom, excelling in all proscribed duties with the possible exception of cooking. It was a rare occurrence when Linda was anything but attentive and sweet, always putting her husband and children above everything. It was her habit to wake up early, around 6 am, to read scripture and listen to the sounds of all the pretty birds. Sometimes her son, John, would join her and they would sing "Let the Sunshine" in celebration of the morning. Breakfast was always hot. For 20 years, in both Medina, Ohio and Lake Jackson, she was always present. Her house was spotless, she played tennis, took long walks out at the lake, saw lots of Europe, and shopped prodigiously and returned faithfully almost all the items purchased at Dillard’s the day before. After her children left the nest, in her mid-50s, she returned to teaching, this time with 3rd graders at Bess Brannen Elementary. The family still bumps into old students who insist she was their favorite teacher. Although 2/3rds of her life went, seemingly, without complication, the last act delivered a new and unexpected hardship. For the last 18 years of her life, Linda endured Alzheimer’s, which gradually took her, although she remained a sweet and loving soul throughout her trial. The disease could never wrestle away her joyful countenance. Many over the last week have mentioned her angelic qualities. Her devoted husband gave his entire existence to her from the moment of diagnosis forward and, only now, rests. A year after diagnosis, the couple took a final trip, so that she might see old Germany, from where her grandparents had arrived in the late 19th century. The photographs of that voyage evoke a gleefulness that belies their difficult path forward. Linda is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Norene, her sister Mary Flanagan, and her brother Harry Bush. She is survived by her husband, Darryl, her son John Cragar, her daughter Mary Linda Cragar, and grandchildren George Cragar, Charles Cragar, and Margaret Cragar. A celebration of Linda’s life will take place at Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 102 Yaupon Street, Lake Jackson at 10:00 am on Thursday, January, 18 officiated by the Rev. Dr. Alan Trafford. Burial will follow immediately at Restwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 17.