Mr. Ronnie L. Rush, 85, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

He was born in Glennville, Georgia to the late Audie Lee Rush and Inez Baker Rush.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Rush.  He was a 1954 graduate of Commercial High School in Savannah, was enshrined for his excellent performance on the basketball court while attending Brewton-Parker.  During the 1955-56 season Rush, playing center, was named the Most Valuable player of the Georgia Junior College Conference, the Junior College All-american Team, All-Region Basketball Team, All-Region Tournament Team, All-State Basketball Team and All-State Basketball Tournament Team.  After leaving Brewton-Parker, Rush went on to play at Georgia Southern where he continued to excel on the basketball court including a game high of 33 rebounds.  He was honored as the Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Letterman's Club of Georgia Southern University and was also a 1991 inductee into the Greater Savannah Athletics Hall of Fame.  Ronnie, who spent his early years in Glennville before moving to Savannah at the age of 5, enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career as a teacher, coach and administrator.  He was a long time principal at Long County High School in Ludowici.

Survivors include his wife, Linda G. Rush; children, Leigh Rush Smith (Daniel), Ann Rush Cronlund (Chris), Jim Rush, Vivian Griffis (Brian), and Jimmy Hutcheson; brother, Carroll Rush (Sarah); grandchildren, Ross, Randal, Chelsea, Samantha, Catherine, Robby, Jessi, Rex, Zachary, Cory, Jimmy Jr., and Adam; great-grandchildren, Dakota, Rozaline, Izabella, Wyatt, Blakely, and Tessa, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be on Saturday, July 3, 2021 from 2 until 3 p.m. at the funeral home with the funeral to follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 West Highway 80 in Pooler (912) 748-2444