Obituary for Gene Bushmann
Eugene George Bushmann, age 89, of Jefferson City, Mo., died on Tuesday, March 21. 2023 at his home.
The son of Lester George and Alice (Ward) Bushmann, Gene was born on June 26, 1933 in St. Louis, where he grew up and graduated from Central High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1955. While an undergraduate he was a member of the Naval ROTC program and Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Upon graduation, he was assigned active duty with the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Lake Champlain, an aircraft carrier. He was later assigned to the U.S. Marines as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer, going ashore with invasions to direct naval gunfire. Following active duty, he served in the Naval reserves for eight years.
Following military service, Gene entered the University of Missouri Law School. During his second year in law school, he married his lovely wife, Janice Louise (Long) Bushmann, who predeceased him in 2017. In 1960, Gene graduated from the University of Missouri Law School and Janice graduated with distinction in English Literature from the University of Missouri, earning an honorary award from the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Following graduation, Gene and Janice moved to Jefferson City where Gene was employed by Attorney General John Dalton and later by Thomas F. Eagleton. In 1965 he was appointed as the Missouri Administrative Hearing Officer, serving as judge over disciplinary matters involving licensed professionals, such as doctors, dentists, insurance agents, and others.
Gene left state employment in about 1970 and entered the private practice of law in Jefferson City. After several years of solo practice, he participated in the firm of Bushmann, Neff, Gallaher and Brown. That partnership later merged with another law firm to form the firm of Carson and Coil, presently practicing in Jefferson City. Gene retired from Carson and Coil in 2017.
Gene has been a member of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, the Missouri Prison Redevelopment Commission, the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, the Cole County Historical Society, and the Downtown Rotary Club of Jefferson City. Gene was also active for many years in the Missouri Democratic Party, including State Democratic Chairman in 1992 when he helped with the election of a Democratic President and all statewide office holders.
Gene was kind, warm and generous. He enjoyed many colleagues and friends over the years and loved every family gathering. Although active until the end of his life, he was also happy sitting on his patio soaking in the sun, watching the clouds float by, and listening to the birds. He could be heard sharing sentiments like, “it’s amazing how simple it is to do nothing and enjoy life”.
Gene is survived by his sons, Michael and his wife Lottie (Rudder) Bushmann of Columbia, Mo., and Paul and his wife, Vicki (Page) Bushmann of Annapolis, Maryland; his daughter, Sara and her husband Scott Howell of Surry, Maine; and his sisters, Patricia Mosby of Mavern, Arkansas, and Judith Heilig of Houston, Texas. Gene was dearly loved by his nine grandchildren, Duncan Howell, Eleanor Howell, Emily Bushmann, Emma Bushmann, Ian Howell, Greg Bushmann, Melissa Bushmann, Olivia Bushmann, and Peter Howell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lester Bushmann of Jefferson City, and Kenneth Bushmann of St. Louis; and his sister, Shirley Hensley of St. Louis.
A private celebration of life service will be held for family at a future date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, 1299 Lafayette St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
The son of Lester George and Alice (Ward) Bushmann, Gene was born on June 26, 1933 in St. Louis, where he grew up and graduated from Central High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1955. While an undergraduate he was a member of the Naval ROTC program and Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Upon graduation, he was assigned active duty with the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Lake Champlain, an aircraft carrier. He was later assigned to the U.S. Marines as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer, going ashore with invasions to direct naval gunfire. Following active duty, he served in the Naval reserves for eight years.
Following military service, Gene entered the University of Missouri Law School. During his second year in law school, he married his lovely wife, Janice Louise (Long) Bushmann, who predeceased him in 2017. In 1960, Gene graduated from the University of Missouri Law School and Janice graduated with distinction in English Literature from the University of Missouri, earning an honorary award from the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Following graduation, Gene and Janice moved to Jefferson City where Gene was employed by Attorney General John Dalton and later by Thomas F. Eagleton. In 1965 he was appointed as the Missouri Administrative Hearing Officer, serving as judge over disciplinary matters involving licensed professionals, such as doctors, dentists, insurance agents, and others.
Gene left state employment in about 1970 and entered the private practice of law in Jefferson City. After several years of solo practice, he participated in the firm of Bushmann, Neff, Gallaher and Brown. That partnership later merged with another law firm to form the firm of Carson and Coil, presently practicing in Jefferson City. Gene retired from Carson and Coil in 2017.
Gene has been a member of the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, the Missouri Prison Redevelopment Commission, the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, the Cole County Historical Society, and the Downtown Rotary Club of Jefferson City. Gene was also active for many years in the Missouri Democratic Party, including State Democratic Chairman in 1992 when he helped with the election of a Democratic President and all statewide office holders.
Gene was kind, warm and generous. He enjoyed many colleagues and friends over the years and loved every family gathering. Although active until the end of his life, he was also happy sitting on his patio soaking in the sun, watching the clouds float by, and listening to the birds. He could be heard sharing sentiments like, “it’s amazing how simple it is to do nothing and enjoy life”.
Gene is survived by his sons, Michael and his wife Lottie (Rudder) Bushmann of Columbia, Mo., and Paul and his wife, Vicki (Page) Bushmann of Annapolis, Maryland; his daughter, Sara and her husband Scott Howell of Surry, Maine; and his sisters, Patricia Mosby of Mavern, Arkansas, and Judith Heilig of Houston, Texas. Gene was dearly loved by his nine grandchildren, Duncan Howell, Eleanor Howell, Emily Bushmann, Emma Bushmann, Ian Howell, Greg Bushmann, Melissa Bushmann, Olivia Bushmann, and Peter Howell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lester Bushmann of Jefferson City, and Kenneth Bushmann of St. Louis; and his sister, Shirley Hensley of St. Louis.
A private celebration of life service will be held for family at a future date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission, 1299 Lafayette St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.