Tuesday, April 22, 2025

TRACY RUSK: THE PASSING OF A TRUE HERO

 By Howie Katz

 

                               Artre Hillman Rusk IV obituary, La Marque, TX

                               Tracy Rusk with his beloved service dog Breacher

 

Sadly, Trey Rusk's son Tracy passed away a week ago today after a long struggle with PTSD. Tracy was just 44-years-old. 

Tracy served in the U.S. Coat Guard from 1999 until 2012 and was the member of a Special Ops team.

While serving in the Coast Guard, Tracy received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, theNational Defense Service Medal, the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Unit Commendation Ribbon, and several additional awards.

Unfortunately, following his discharge, Tracy suffered from a torturous case of PTSD.  This terrible affliction is what finally took his life.

Tracy's service dog Breacher was his best friend and constant companion during the last several years of his life.

Tracy is survived by his daughters Hauna and Asia, his parents Trey and Denise, his brother Bradley (a Friendswood police officer), his sister Billye, and other family members.

Tracy was a casualty of war. He was a true hero in every sense of the word.

Tracy's funeral was held today. He is now resting in peace. 

In their grief, Trey and Denise can find some solace in that Tracy is no longer suffering from his service-inflicted torturous illness.

 

                                Trey and Denise at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

 

Trey Rusk has been a very dear friend for some 50 years. His father and I were also the closest of friends when we were both on the faculty of College of the Mainland in Texas City. 

 

Many of the news articles posted on BGB have been forwarded to me by Trey.

2 comments:

bob walsh said...

That truly is a shame. More than a few veterans never truly come home when they come home. RIP.

Anonymous said...

Our son did the best he could following his service to the USA. We would like to thank the United States Coast Guard, The League City Police Dept, and his former comrades in arms who attended his funeral from around the globe. The Coast Guard provided a Fly Over, 21 Gun Salute, Bag Piper and the Folding and hand off of the United States Flags to both my wife Denise and his Daughters. It was quite a ceremony for our small town cemetery. Tracy is now in God's Hands. Thank you Howie for the Blog. God Bless You, Friend.