George H.W. Bush dies at 94: president, family man, war hero - dallasnews.

WASHINGTON — Former President George Bush, a war hero, father of a president and founder of the modern Texas Republican Party who presided over momentous global changes, died Friday at 94. 

Bush died just after 10 p.m. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time, spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," former President George W. Bush said in a written statement. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

The senior Bush's health already fragile, the heartbreak this spring of losing his first lady and wife of 73 years hit hard. Barbara Bush died on April 17 at age 92. He was hospitalized a day after the funeral with a serious blood infection but recovered.

He was frail at the wedding of granddaughter Barbara Bush on Oct. 7, held at the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Bush was the son of a two-term U.S. senator from Connecticut. He would become only the second president, after John Adams, whose son followed him to the White House. George W. Bush of Dallas, a two-term Texas governor, became the nation’s 43rd chief executive eight years after his father’s defeat. A younger son, Jeb Bush, served as governor of Florida and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination, an also-ran swept away by the candidacy of Donald Trump.

Bush viewed government as a “noble calling,” as former President Gerald Ford remarked at the 1997 opening of the Bush presidential library at Texas A&M University, which also houses the Bush School of Government and Public Service. 

“In George Bush's America, civility is never confused with weakness, nor are political differences mistaken for a holy war,” said Ford, who died in 2006. “In George Bush's America, there are no political enemies, merely adversaries, who may disagree with you on one day and yet be with you on the next roll call.”

“His life is a testament that public service is a noble calling,” President Barack Obama, a Democrat, said in February 2011, as he bestowed a Medal of Freedom on Bush — the nation’s highest civilian honor — at an emotional White House ceremony. Obama lauded Bush for “service and sacrifice” and spoke of his “humility and decency.”

“This is a gentleman, inspiring citizens to become points of light in service to others,” he said.

When Bush turned 85 in 2009, he jumped from a plane — tandem — landed on his own lawn in Maine, and promptly planted a kiss on his bride. He made one last jump at 90.  In later years he became known for colorful socks. He wore a pair adorned with books to Barbara's funeral, a reminder of her devotion to the cause of literacy, and his devotion to her. - Read More

George H.W. Bush dies: president, family man, war hero | Politics ...