Gregg Thomas Bushman

Gregg Thomas Bushman of Gilbert, Arizona, died Monday, December 26, 2016, in Snowflake, Arizona while visiting with family during the Christmas Season. He was 27. He was born on Wednesday, February 1, 1989 to his parents, Joseph Cox Bushman (Joe) and the late Kathleen Lorraine (Ashcraft) Bushman at the family home in Snowflake, Arizona. He was a bright, warm, happy baby. His parents cherished his laugh, so much so that Joe would often wake him up after getting home late from work, just to tickle him and hear his giggle. As a child, he never wanted to be left out or to stop playing. He would often play so hard that he would fall asleep on the stairs going to his bedroom for bedtime. He was a sweet, thoughtful, kind boy. Gregg attended Snowflake High School and graduated in May of 2007. He was a varsity Football Captain, playing offensive tackle. He was also an accomplished weightlifter. He competed in the Junior Olympics for weightlifting, placing 8th in the nation in the summer of 2004. Gregg was generous and thoughtful. He took his responsibilities seriously. He was fierce and ambitious, passionate and driven. He was a loyal friend. From a very young age and throughout is life, Gregg was a protector. Even in elementary school, he refused to allow bullying around him. He had a great respect for women and for his elders, and was especially protective of his wife, mother and sisters. Gregg had the unique ability to be everyone's best friend. He listened attentively, reach out, and followed up. He encouraged, validated, and motivated. He willingly gave his time and energy to constantly uplift his loved ones. He was a Hero in every sense of the word. Gregg loved and pursued Amanda Nelson since the 7th Grade. He often described her as the smartest, most beautiful, mature girl in school. In March of 2009, two years after high school, Amanda finally said "yes," and they began dating. They were married four months later, at the Main Street Chapel in Snowflake, on June 27, 2009. Two days before his death, Gregg spoke of Amanda. He marveled at her patience and love. He described her incredible mothering and her brilliant mind. He called her, "perfect," and concluded that she has always been, "way out of (his) league." They have two beautiful sons together, Thomas and Luke. Gregg's boys were his everything. He was a devoted father. He often spoke about the lessons he wanted to teach his sons as they grew. and the example he desired to set for them. Most of all, he always wanted them to know that they were loved and protected. Gregg served as a Forward Observer in the United States Army. During his seven years of service, Gregg was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, and served a twelve-month deployment to Afghanistan, leaving only a month after his wedding. He was wounded in combat in January, 2010, and was medevacked to the combat hospital at Kandahar Air Field for medical treatment on his twenty-first birthday. Even though he was wounded, Gregg remained in the theater and continued to serve until the end of his tour, six months later. He completed the Joint Fires Observer course in 2014. He was awarded eleven medals for his service in the Army, including the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Gregg served as a Non-Commissioned Officer and was medically retired as a Sergeant in 2015. Suffering both physical and emotional wounds from his service, Gregg fought his tribulations valiantly and optimistically to the end of his life. Gregg is survived by his beloved wife of seven-and-a-half years, Amanda Terrial Nelson Bushman of Gilbert, Arizona; his two sons: 2 year old, Thomas Andrew Bushman; 6 week old son, Luke David Bushman of Gilbert, Arizona; his father, Joseph Cox Bushman of Snowflake, Arizona; siblings: Jami Emerson, Patrick Bushman, Nicholas Bushman, Amy Ramsay, Christie Bushman, Joey Bushman; grandparents: Maxine Bushman, Keith and Rebecca Ashcraft. The public visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 6, 2017, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th South in Snowflake, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 7, 2016 at the Centennial Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 175 W. 9th South in Snowflake, Arizona where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service with military honors will immediately follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona, where he will be laid to rest near his mother, who passed away only last month.