James Scott Bush of Lebanon died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Panama City Beach, Florida, while on a trip with his wife and friends. He was 62.

Mr. Bush was born May 17, 1961, to Forest Ross Bush and Percia Lee (Harmon) Bush in Indianapolis. He married the love of his life, Rebecca Jo (Rodeman) Bush on May 3, 1986, and she survives.

He graduated from Western Boone High School in 1981, and then attended Vincennes University before earning his bachelor's degree in journalism from IUPUI in 1985.

Mr. Bush was employed at Purdue University since 2007 and most recently served as assistant editorial director for Purdue Marketing and Communications.

During a long and successful journalism career, Mr. Bush was managing editor for several newspapers, most notably at The Times in Frankfort and The Reporter in Lebanon.

He turned a lifelong passion for sports like NASCAR, IndyCar, football and basketball into a springboard for a professional career, serving as sports editor for The Times from 1986-1996, where he covered a variety of high school, college and professional sporting events.

Among many career highlights, Mr. Bush had a cameo appearance in the 1994 film "Blue Chips" alongside actor Ed O'Neill during scenes filmed in Frankfort High School's Case Arena. Both his writing and the work of the staffs he managed earned multiple accolades from the Hoosier State Press Association and Associated Press.

Mr. Bush was actively involved in and was a lifelong member of Milledgeville United Methodist Church. At various times, he also served on the boards of directors for local organizations that included the Indiana Associated Press, Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, and Clinton County Boys and Girls Club. He also served on the Grants Committee for the Clinton County Community Foundation and participated in the school CHOICES program as a classroom facilitator.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bush is survived by daughter Molly Rebecca Bush of Nashville, Tennessee, and son Riley James Bush of Lebanon; siblings Dennis Puthoff (Bernetta), John Michael Bush (Diane), Jerry Bush (Tammy) and Robin Bush-Spidel (Jeff McLaughlin) all of Lebanon; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Milledgeville United Methodist Church, followed by services. The church is located five miles south of Lebanon off State Road 39 at 4382-4498 S. Edlin Road, Lebanon, IN 46052.

Memorials may be made to Milledgeville United Methodist Church.

Final care of Mr. Bush has been entrusted to the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com.