James Stephen Rush

Spartanburg, SC- James Stephen Rush, 53, husband of Elena Pribyl Rush, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 06, 2016. Born August 8, 1962 in Forest, Mississippi, Steve was a son of Reverend Dr. James Paul Rush and Elizabeth Pittman Rush. Steve attended Wofford College and graduated with a B.A. in Business Economics in 1984. He began his career at C&S Bank in Spartanburg before moving to Fort Mill, SC as city executive. In Fort Mill, he was a founding member of the Fort Mill Rotary Club and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. As his career progressed he worked at First United Bank, Spartanburg National Bank, Regions Bank, Summit National Bank, First Citizens Bank, and most recently as a Senior Vice President of Carolina Alliance Bank. Steve served his community as a member of the Spartanburg Housing Authority Board from 2003 to 2012, and served as chairman for the last four years of his tenure. He was a co-founder of both the Eastside Rotary Club and the Palmetto Men’s Club. He served as President of Spartanburg Regional Hospital System’s Hospice Board. He was a board member of Junior Achievement of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Country Club. He was also a member of the Downtown Sertoma Club and on the Northside Development Corporation Housing Advisory Committee. Steve was an avid golfer, spending most Sunday afternoons, and any other times he could, on the golf course. He was a long time supporter of the Bobby Chapman Junior Invitational. He supported Wofford College and his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He was a board member of the Terrier Club and almost never missed a Wofford College home football game. He also enjoyed spending time at the beach, surf-fishing in a bucket hat. Steve had a boisterous laugh that could be heard across the tee box or the tailgate lot. In addition to his wife and parents, Steve is survived by his son, Benjamin Woodress Rush, MD of Winston Salem, NC; and his daughter, Anne-Elizabeth Pittman Rush of Spartanburg, SC. He was predeceased by a brother, David Louis Rush. The family will receive friends at the home Friday, April 8th, 3-6PM. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 9th, 10:00AM at Trinity United Methodist Church, officiated by Reverend Neal Woods. The family will receive friends immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. In remembrance of Steve, memorials may be made to The James Stephen Rush '84 Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford College, Office of Advancement, 429 N Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303