James Fortner Jr.

James Fortner Jr.

James "Rush" Fortner Jr., 88, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

He was born Jan. 10, 1920, in Shirley, Ark., son of James R. and Berta Bradbury Fortner. He and Mary O. Rayburn were married Feb. 28, 1948, in Malden, Mo.

Fortner was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Scotland, England, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland. He also served in the Korean War. He retired from the Army National Guard with 20 years of military service.

Fortner worked at LoneStar 28 years, retired, and then worked at Union Planters Bank 12 years and at Cross Trails Medical Center two years. He was a member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at Red Star Baptist Church more than 50 years and a member of VFW Post 3838.

Survivors include his wife, Mary O. Fortner of Cape Girardeau; a son, Paul Fortner and wife Cheryl of Gordonville; two sisters, Elizabeth Hooten of Risco, Mo., Robbie McLean of Frederick, Md.; four grandchildren, James Fortner, Aaron Fortner, Philip Swift and Melanie Swift; and a son-in-law, Jack G. Swift of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Phyllis Ann Swift, Feb. 2, 2006.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Red Star Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jim Matthews and the Rev. Cy Smith officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park with full military honors provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to Cape County Cowboy Church, 220 Orchid Lane, Oak Ridge, Mo., 63769.