Gerald Rush Neff

Mr. Rush Neff, age 98 of Colorado City, died Friday night in a Sweetwater care center. Services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, March 11, 2015 in the First Baptist Church in Colorado City with Dr. Jerry Shields officiating. Burial will follow in the Colorado City Cemetery under the care and direction of Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

Mr. Neff was born January 22, 1917 in San Angelo to William Leonard (Pat) and Pearl Hanson Neff and had been a resident of Mitchell County since a very young age. He married Oma Lee Williams on March 18, 1940 in Weatherford, TX. She preceded him in death on July 26, 1952. He then married Virginia “Puddy” Whipkey on July 17, 1965. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2006. Rush worked for his dad driving a truck until 1940 at which time he went to work for Col-Tex Refinery. He worked there over 20 years, during which time he served his country in the US Army, stationed at Fort Hood. Rush started his own business in 1960 with a small greenhouse and grew over the years to become Neff’s Nursery and Greenhouse. He worked every day taking care of his business until he finally retired at the age of 96. He loved raising quarter horses on his farm where he also raised a big garden each year. He owned many race horses and spent as much time in the summer as he could in Ruidoso, NM watching them run.

Rush is survived by two daughters: Pat Bowlin of Colorado City and Sharon Wallace of Houston; two step-sons: Walter Hearin of Florida and Jim and wife, Lou Hearin of Colorado City; two brothers: Tom Neff of Colorado City and Dr. Joe Neff of Big Spring; and many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren

Rush is also preceded in death by his parents, two step-sons: Ronnie Salmon and Charles Salmon, 3 sisters and 3 brothers and a son-in-law, Shug Bowlin who loved him like a father.

Rush will be missed by all of his family and many friends.

The family will receive friends 6-8 PM Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the funeral home.