Jay Robert Rush

Jay R. Rush passed peacefully in his sleep on the evening of June 2, 2018. Jay was born in Carmel on May 7, 1951. He was raised in Pacific Grove, went through the Pacific Grove School system, and graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1969. Jay started working in the carpentry trade with his father, Bob Rush, after graduating from high school – he completed the Apprenticeship Program and continued to work out of Local 605 for 33 years. He worked on many buildings and structures on the Monterey Peninsula including: Butt’s Pontiac Cadillac, Fort Ord Commissary, Naval Postgraduate School Library, many Professional buildings, schools, and custom homes for Clint Eastwood, Doris Day, Paul Anka, and more. He worked on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Poppy Hills Club House, ground-breaking foreman for Spanish Bay, Multi-Agency Facility in Big Sur, Ventana, Rocky Point, Highlands Inn, Post Ranch, Rancho San Carlos, Quail Lodge, Chamisal, CHOMP, U.C. Santa Cruz, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, the homes of Belamy, O’Such, Keith, Stertzer, Rogers, and many, many more. He loved his trade and was taught by old school professionals and prided himself on doing exemplary work. Jay married his best friend, Michelle, in July of 1976 and together they enjoyed many things. They skied, rode horses, fished, traveled, raised Labrador Retrievers, and owned and operated Rushwood Riding School in Carmel Valley. They were the Home Arts Department Supervisors for several years at the Monterey Fairgrounds. In 2007 they moved to Etna, California in Siskiyou County. Jay loved to help people, he loved to fish at Lake Siskiyou and McCloud Reservoir where he enjoyed taking his older, retired friends out on his boat. Most people Jay met became a friend. Jay was community minded and supported FFA, Scholarship Programs, Purr Angels, loved auto racing, loved music, loved animals, loved to laugh, hum, and whistle, loved building things with wood, turning wood, teaching his “Dust Bunnies” carpentry, loved leather work and repair, loved to root for the under-dog, and loved his family. Jay leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Michelle, his dog, “Jake”, his sister and her husband, Janell and Jim Roseman of Etna, his sister Marabee Boone of Pacific Grove and Laverne Seeman, a close family friend (aka sister) also of Pacific Grove. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, and many, many wonderful friends. There will be a Celebration of Jay’s Life in Monterey at the Monterey Fairgrounds on July 21st, at the Jack Payton Stage, at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a Celebration of Jay’s Life at his home in Etna on August 4th, at 1:00. The address is 5620 South Kidder Loop. Please join us in remembering Jay’s humor, pastimes, and experiences. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jay’s name to Purr Angels, P. O. Box 672, Yreka, CA 96097, U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Siskiyou Domestic Violence, or to a charity of your choice.

Jay Robert Rush

May 7, 1951 - June 2, 2018