Eugene Bushman, 98, of Anderson, Texas, passed away May 16, 2022, at his home in Grimes County. Funeral services will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Bryan, with Rev. Scott Adams officiating, at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 20, with viewing at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Carlos, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Eugene was born in Grimes County on March 14, 1924. He grew up poor but worked hard and was determined to succeed. In his teens, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps which provided young men food, lodging, and minimum pay for work on environmental conservation projects. He left the CCC to join the Navy at age 17 (“misrepresenting” his real age), He served in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters and was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He served six years in the Navy, and when asked if he ever got seasick, he answered, “Just once...for six years.”
After returning to Texas, Eugene married Mae Kolbachinski on July 26, 1947. He soon started working as a painter and worked his way up to become president of the company, which he helped build into a multi-million dollar industrial and commercial painting company.
Eugene and Mae had three children, Jerry, Nancy and James. Eugene was a devoted husband and father. After retirement, he and Mae moved back to “the farm” in Grimes County and were faithful members of Hillcrest Baptist Church where he served as deacon for over 29 years. He loved fishing and working on the farm until the very end of his life.
Eugene is survived by his wife Mae, children Jerry Bushman, Nancy Bushman, and James Bushman, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one very new great great-grandchild, and many relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jeffrey Bushman, Jerod Bushman, Steve Ladobruk, Joe Pianalto, John Carter, and Matthew Grindstaff, along with honorary pallbearer Ronnie Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 4220 Boonville Rd, Bryan, TX 77802.