Gregg Thomas Bushman, 27, of Gilbert passed away on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Snowflake while visiting with family during the Christmas season. The public visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, at Owens Livingston Mortuary-Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th South in Snowflake. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Centennial Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 175 W. Ninth South in Snowflake, where additional visitation will begin one hour prior. The concluding service with military honors will immediately follow at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, where he will be laid to rest near his mother, who passed away in November. He was born Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1989, to Joseph Cox “Joe” Bushman and the late Kathleen Lorraine (Ashcraft) Bushman at the family home in Snowflake. 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 up to his bedroom for bedtime. He was a sweet, thoughtful, kind boy. Gregg attended Snowflake High School and graduated in May 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 eighth in the nation in the summer of 2004. He 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 his life, Gregg was a protector. Even in elementary school, he refused to allow bullying around him. He had 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, reached out and followed up. He encouraged, validated and motivated. He willingly gave of 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 seventh grade. He often described her as the smartest, most beautiful, mature girl in school. In March 2009, two years after high school, Amanda finally said, “yes,” and they began dating. They were married four months later on June 27, 2009, at the Main Street Chapel in Snowflake. 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. He 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 12-month deployment to Afghanistan, leaving only a month after his wedding. He was wounded in combat in January 2010, and was medevaced to the combat hospital at Kandahar Air Field for medical treatment on his 21st birthday. Even though he was wounded, Gregg remained in 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 11 medals for his service in the Army, including the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal with 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. Survivors include his beloved wife of seven-and-a-half years, Amanda Terrial (Nelson) Bushman; and his two sons, Thomas Andrew (age 2) and Luke David (age 6 weeks). He is also survived by his father, Joe; his siblings, Jami Emerson, Patrick Bushman, Nicholas Bushman, Amy Ramsay, Christie Bushman and Joey Bushman; and his grandparents, Maxine Bushman, an
