Joseph Raymond Bush, 98

Joseph Raymond Bush, 98, passed away Oct. 13, 2026, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Joseph was born July 27, 1928, to Raymond C. Bush and Bess A. (Rozelle) Bush in Roundup, Mont. Joe, his sister Wanda, and his parents lived there until 1936, when his father grew tired of working as a mechanic and machinist and moved the family to a small farm in Darby, Mont.

Joe grew up on this farm helping his dad work it, and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He attended elementary and high school in Darby, where he played football, and other sports. After graduating, Joe worked at a local pole yard, and then for the county building roads. He then worked as a groundman for a local power line contractor for a short time, but he soon enlisted in the Navy Seebees as lineman, and he spent his service in the Korean War building power lines in the Philippines for a new naval base.

When Joe completed his service in September 1952, Joe returned to Darby, and began working for Yearian Construction, building power lines in Montana and Idaho. In 1953, Joe met Carol Dee James in Challis, Idaho, and they were married in the same year. For the next 12 years, Joe worked throughout the Northwest as a journeyman lineman and foreman, building transmission lines in the Summer, and distribution in the Winter, moving his growing family several times to follow the work.

Joe and Carol had five children, Debora Anne Lyons, Donna Lynn Bush and partner Steve Patton, Diana Dee Contor and her husband Mark, Mona Kay Larsen and her deceased husband Craig, and Donald Raymond Bush and his wife Brenda.

The family finally settled in the Sandpoint, Idaho, area and Joe went to work for Northern Lights Inc. as a journeyman lineman in 1965. They purchased a farm in the Sagle area where they raised their children.

Joe retired from Northern Lights in 1991. After his retirement, Joe and Carol enjoyed traveling, and went several times to Alaska. They also loved to camp and fish, and went on trips to Lake Koocanusa to catch Kokanee Salmon. Joe very much enjoyed the farm, and loved to spend his time raising cattle, and making improvements on the land.

Joe was preceded in death by his dad, Raymond; his mother, Bess; his sister, Wanda; his wife, Carol; his son-in-law, Craig; his granddaughter, Megan Lynn; and his grandson, Nathan.

He is survived by his five children, Debora, Donna, Diana, Mona and Donald; his grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to sign Joe’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.