Kelly Wayne Rushing

Funeral services for Kelly W. Rushing, 72, of Temple, will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, with Rev. Norman Rushing officiating.  Burial will follow at Greathouse Cemetery.

The family will receive friends for visitation Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. 

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Central Baptist Church in Pampa. 

Mr. Rushing died Saturday, November, 2, 2024 in Temple.

Mr. Rushing was born, December 31, 1951, in Shamrock, Texas, the son of Thomas William "Bill" and Ethra Jean Francis (Norman) Rushing.  He graduated from Erick High School in Erick, Oklahoma in 1970.  In high school he met his forever sweetheart, Gimmye Nidiffer, they were married October 14, 1971 at  Texola Baptist Church.  They made Amarillo their home for a while before moving back to Texola, then settling in Pampa in 1977.

 Mr. Rushing began a 43 year career in law enforcement as a patrolman in Elk City.  He left Elk City after two years of service to work for the Amarillo Police Department.    He worked as a Deputy for the Gray County Sheriff's  Department with his favorite Sheriff Rufe Jordan.  Later he became a Special Ranger working for 20 years with the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.  He was asked to serve as Chief Deputy for the new Gray County Sheriff Don Copeland.  He gladly served in that position for eight years.   Finally, before retiring, he served as the Chief of Police in Pampa.

In 2015, he and his wife moved to Temple, to be close to their daughters and grandchildren.  His outgoing personality naturally drew others to him, and he was able to make new friends in Central Texas . At his church, he shared his gifts of leadership and music.  He was a simple man who loved Jesus, his friends and family, and could beat anyone at dominoes when his brother was his partner.  His great love in life besides his Lord and family, was to write music and sing, the gifts God gave him.

Mr. Rushing was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Susie Floyd. 

 Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Gimmye Rushing; two daughters, Jennifer Rushing Bruns and husband Eric of Temple, and Valerie Rushing and husband Jacob Warriner of Killeen; brother Norman Rushing and wife I. B. of Amarillo; five of the world's best grandchildren, Jaxon, Hayden, Jentrye, Rhett and Bowen, along with numerous nieces and nephews he cherished; also his Brotherhood with the most incredible Law Enforcement Agencies across the states of Texas and Oklahoma; and very dear friends Brock and Tia. 

Memorials may be made to New Life in Christ Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1447, Belton, Texas 76513 or Texola Baptist Church, Box 66, Erick, Oklahoma, 73645.