A Chattooga County resident who was a longtime employee of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources passed away on Monday.

In 1976 the State of Georgia opened a new state park in the Northwest Georgia mountains.  James H. “Sloppy Floyd” State Park was named after one of Chattooga County’s most famous native sons, State Representative “Sloppy Floyd” who served as a state representative from Chattooga County from 1953-1974.  When the new park opened, a park ranger from Gordonia Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville, Georgia transferred to take over at the fledgling state park in Summerville at the foot of Taylor’s Ridge.

Derrell Rush, with the assistance of Bob Chisolm and Tim Wilson,  built the park up to what it is today.  During Rush’s tenure the park added a 25-site campground, a playground, four picnic shelters, and planted many trees.  He won an award for the beautiful wildflower patch that was at the entrance to the park.  Rush’s last big project was building a walking bridge all the way across the upper lake.  He retired in 1997 after 30 years of service with the state.

Mr. Rush was a native of Baxley, Georgia but chose to remain in Chattooga County, along with his wife Gail, after his retirement.  The couple lived in the Perennial Springs Community.  Mr. Rush was a deacon and longtime member of Midway Baptist Church in Summerville.

A memorial for Mr. Rush will be held at a later date due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.