Ronald Gene Bush, age 72 of Ada, MI left this life to live a new life with his Lord on Sunday January 5, held in the arms of his best friend and loving wife Connie, following a fierce and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Ron and Connie would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2025.
He was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Harold and Frances Bush on May 14, 1952, attended Kelloggsville Elementary School and graduated from Kentwood High School and Montcalm Community College. Ron went to work at the General Motors Diesel plant for 15 years before taking a buyout to pursue other interests. He farmed and did construction work for a time along with restoring antique John Deere 2-cylinder tractors. In 2002 he and Connie opened a classic car consignment business called Classic Auto Showplace in Byron Center which they operated for several years before retiring. After his early retirement, Ron remained very active in the classic car community, buying, selling, restoring, and showing a number of classic and muscle cars. He always had a project going in his shop and took great pride in the meticulous work that he completed.
As a resident of Cascade Township for 47 years, Ron was a do-it-yourselfer who seldom hired anyone to perform any home improvement project. His home and properties were always maintained to the highest standard.
Ron was a man of many interests who excelled at whatever he undertook. After mastering a hobby for a few years, he would move on to a new interest. Ron’s hobbies over the years included hunting, fishing, drag racing, vegetable gardening, competitive running, boating on Lake Michigan, antique tractor pulling, and building and maintaining his car collection.
One of his great loves was spending time fishing, hunting and relaxing at his cabin in the Upper Peninsula. He owned property there for almost 30 years and loved the laidback, slower lifestyle that personifies the U.P. He also enjoyed spending several weeks ocean fishing and beaching in Florida every winter.
Ron was a man of the highest character who enjoyed a reputation for honesty and integrity, along with a great wit and countless stories. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends made over his lifetime.
Ron is survived by his wife, Connie; brother, Gary (Arliss) Bush, brothers-in-law, Pete (Sue) Reiffer, Bill (Monica) Reiffer; along with several nieces and nephews, including special niece, Carie (John) Frabotta. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Frances Bush; and his in-laws, Pete and Sally Reiffer.
A celebration of life will be held on at 12pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 6655 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, with visitation one hour prior. The family invites you to join them for a luncheon immediately following the service. Private family interment will take place at Cascade Township Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial gifts to Faith Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice in Ron’s honor.