James M. Rushing

James M. Rushing, 81, of Maryville, TN died on Nov. 25, 2023 at Maryville, TN.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years Katie Ann Rushing of Maryville, TN, son, James Timothy Rushing (Fran) of Dyer, IN, daughters Laura A Rushing of Alcoa, TN and Amy Beth Corbett (Stuart) of Huntersville, NC and grandchildren Alex Corbett and Grant Corbett of Huntersville, NC and Ray Rushing of Dyer, IN.  He was preceded in death by parents Jack and Meta Rushing of Parsons, TN and sister, Sara Fowler of Richardson, TX.

He held a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a Masters of Manufacturing Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

He co-oped with Alcoa, Inc. while going through undergraduate school and went to work for them after graduation in 1966 serving at Tennessee Operations, Lafayette Works, Massena Operations, Warrick Operations, Pittsburgh Office and Knoxville Office before retiring in 2003 with almost 39 years of service.  He served as an Industrial Advisor to the Web Handling Research Center at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK serving as chairman for two years.

In earlier years, he served with the Boy Scouts of America as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster and on the District and Council Staffs in several locations.  He completed Wood Badge Training in the early 1970’s.

He was a Life Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

He joined the Civil Air Patrol after returning to Tennessee and served as Squadron Commander, Group Commander, Assistant Wing Commander and Commander of Tennessee Wing, Assistant Region Commander and Region Commander of Southeast Region, FEMA Liaison and Assistant Program Manager of Operations Training on the National Staff.  He was an active communicator during his later years.

He chose cremation and his urn with the ashes will be interred at the Grandview Cemetery Columbarium in Maryville, TN.