Douglas Eaton Bush of Stuart passed peacefully at home and into the presence of his Lord on April 20 ^th , 2022 surrounded by his family. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Allen Jackson Bush and Ellen Eaton Bush on November 16 ^th 1930, on his mother's birthday.

He was also preceded in death by his brother Donald A Bush. He was married to the woman who was God's perfect gift and the love of his life, Annette Smith Bush for 67 years. Together they had 3 adoring daughters and gained three loving sons, Barbie Hughes (Russ), Brenda Malheiro (Dave) and Jennifer Sprott (Morgan). Doug loved his eight grandchildren, Josh, Robyn, Ashley, Nikki, Heidi, Lindsey, Skeeter and Buddy and his nineteen great grandchildren, Kaiden, Olivia, Reno, Malachi, Samuel, Saraya, McKinley, Hayley, Madalynne, Benjamin, Kelbie, Maison, Lucy, Isaac, Asher, Easton, Tenley, Skylar and Brantley along with many friends and dear relatives. He enjoyed sharing his wisdom, jokes and lots of fiction and facts from Dougie's Almanac.

He grew up loving cars, working on them, cruising in them, racing them… He worked at his family's auto dealership in Philly and that way he always had his choice of cars for his weekend escapades! Doug served in the U.S. Marines and then re-enlisted to serve in the U.S. Air Force before relocating to Florida in 1953. He settled in Port Salerno when the family purchased land on the Manatee Pocket and further developed the Pirate's Cove Marina & Inn, which they operated until 1973. He loved sailing whether on the Chesapeake Bay, the Delaware River or our local rivers. He taught his daughters to sail and swim as well as water ski as he would very patiently drive the boat up and down, up and down the St. Lucie River until they would finally drop. Doug worked for Florida Power and Light until he retired following a successful career and with many acquired friendships. Over the years he enjoyed working with the youth group from First Baptist Church of Stuart as their trip bus driver and was still in contact with many of them. He later became a charter member of Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church where he continued volunteering with the youth, working on projects and of course, keeping the lawn mowers running! Doug was a craftsman. He could build or fix anything. He was known to spend hours in his garage and yard where he loved to dream and plan. He built an ultralight plane in his workshop and enjoyed his time spent flying and the camaraderie of the other pilots. He and Annette enjoyed their time spent camping with family and friends. From tents to pop-ups and trailers to motor homes, with Doug's love of driving it was the perfect adventure! Doug had a beautiful singing voice but was more likely to use it to entertain with a grand story full of colorful details or to tell a witty elaborate joke, and to save his musical talents for his organ, harmonica or accordion playing. His evenings almost always finished with a milkshake or his favorite Blue Bell coffee ice cream and he had no problem finding other takers! His last project, finished with a dear friend in time for Thanksgiving, was a fun folding trailer that he ended up pulling the grand and great grandkids in for hay rides. He still had plans for that trailer and had another project in mind, another plane!  Doug was a fighter with a spirit that just would not quit regardless of his numerous medical hardships. He always had a positive attitude with a wink and a smile, or maybe even a smirk. He truly skid across the finish line worn out and having used up everything he had! Although Doug came to Christ as an adult, he still had a beautiful child like faith. He told us he wanted to be here to celebrate Easter and he was, and he did, and he still is! Heaven has gained an extraordinary but humble man. As his favorite hymn says, it is very well with his soul! Well done! Well done!

A celebration of life service will be held May 22, 2022 at 2:00. at Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, 2880 SE Aster Lane, Stuart, FL  34994

In lieu of flowers, if you desire, contributions may be made to Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

Please feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.