Heaven just gained their newest and brightest Angel in the recent passing of our Dad, Eldon Clay Bush.
God looked in his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down on earth, and saw Dad’s tired face. He put his arms around him to rest. Eldon “Clay” Bush was born January 23, 1937 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He is survived by his five children, Cathleen, Laureen, Stephen, Jennifer and Joseph. This includes many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eldon “Clay” and his family, which included mother Katherine, father Clay and brother La Vern moved to Tucson, Arizona. Eldon Clay Bush known by his friends and family as “Clay”, was someone special, not only to his family, but to his friends. He lived unlike most of us, mainly in order to provide moments of happiness for others. Especially his family, where our Dad received his greatest joy in giving quality time, warmth, guidance, kindness, caring and his wonderful sense of humor to all of us.
Clay enlisted in the US Air Force based in Geiger Field located in Spokane, Washington and gave his service in the late fifties. Our Dad enrolled in Gonzaga University located in Spokane, Washington. He received his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and graduated in the year 1963. He met the love of his life, Joene Agnes Riggs. Clay and Joene married on August 25,1956 and began their family of five. Our parents moved our family to Bellevue, Washington and he went on to become the Facility and Electrical Engineer Manager at John Fluke Manufacturing Company, located in Everett, Washington. John Fluke Sr. was personally responsible for hiring Clay. This was the pinnacle of his career. He worked over 20 years plus at the Everett facility, combined with the Mountlake Terrace Facility where John Fluke was originally located. Clay created tremendous opportunities, goodwill and friendships among all of the employees, both in the Everett facility, board meetings, and various organizations he joined and in all the countries he visited abroad representing John Fluke. Clay experienced many successes in his career with John Fluke Mfg. One of his proudest accomplishments was the planning and design of “Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary” in Everett, Washington.
Giving back to the community was very important to Clay, as proven by his dedication and spirit he gave to Junior Achievement. That is our Dad, remarkable. How proud we are as his family. Clay was simply an awesome man, loving, generous and encouraging. He began with so little and achieved so much in his life.
A private funeral was held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Clay and Joene will be laid to rest at a graveside service located in Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue, Washington. In lieu of flowers, our parents and the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of the Valley, Scottsdale, Arizona. For life is but a gift that God lends to everyone. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary.
