FarewellToTheChief@ChiefFarewell
Shortly after the death of Barbara Bush (Tuesday, April 17, 2018), George Bush stated he wasn’t ready to die, wanting to spend one more summer at their home in Kennebunkport, Maine. His summer spent in Maine, he returned to his Houston home where he passed the remainder of his days. In mid-November, and already in poor health, Bush’s health quickly went downhill. Monday evening, November 19, former Sec. of State James Baker visited his former boss. Baker asked him if he was wanted to live to a hundred, Bush told him, “Yes, I do…but I don’t think I’m going to make it.” As the days passed by, Bush spent time in bed, resting, talking with family and friends, including a meeting with former President Obama. Thursday, November 29, one the day before his death, similar to McKinley, Bush had a bit of a rebound. Baker, visiting him that day, was asked by Bush, “Where are we going, Bake?” Baker, “We’re going to Heaven.” “That’s where I want to go,” responded Bush. Friday, November 30, Bush ate a small breakfast and spent much of the day in bed, talking with friends. Later in the evening, Bush was resting comfortably in bed, listening to Irish tenor Ronan Tynana sing two songs, one being “Silent Night,” Bush seen moving his lips to the song, while Baker sat at his side, holding his hand, rubbing his feet. Knowing the end was near, Bush’s son, George, was called to say his goodbyes. In the last words spoken from son to father, George told his dad, “I love you.” Bush, with a calm voice, uttered four words, “I love you, too.” At 9:15 AM, Dr. Russell Levenson Jr. arrived at the home and led a prayer in the bedroom, joined by family, friends, and the medical team standing around the bed, placing their hands on the former President. At 10:10 PM, locked in sleep, Bush passed away peacefully. Cause of death due in part to chronic bronchitis resulting from vascular Parkinsonism.
