News Article

Soap Box Derby Official Michael Rushing Has Died

Michael Rushing, a long-time volunteer in the Cape Girardeau (Missouri) Soap Box Derby program and at the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby, died on March 5. He was 79.

Mike was inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in July 2022. He had been instrumental in the Cape Girardeau local race since it was re-established in 2000 by the local Rotary Club. Over the years, he promoted interest in racing, recruited new participants, educated youngsters on car construction and driving skills, trained dozens of local volunteers and served as race director. He financially supported local families by purchasing car kits, parts, tools and helmets. Mike began volunteering in the run-out area at the All-American championships in 2004. In recent years, he was responsible for staging the competing race cars in the two buildings at Topside. He also was a member of the All-American’s racing commission.

He was founder of Rushing Marine Service LLC, a marine consulting business based in Jackson, Missouri.

Mike is survived by his wife Donna, son Todd Rushing, daughter Carmen Cox, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call on Wednesday, March 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home, 640 W. Independence St. in Jackson. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m. at New McKendree United Methodist Church, 1770 S. Hope St. in Jackson, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

More News

FirstEnergy Extends Title Sponsorship for Soap Box Derby

AKRON, Ohio, July 19, 2024 -- FirstEnergy Corp. extends its title sponsorship with The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) for three years, running through 2027. The sponsorship continues a strong relationship between the two Akron-based institutions that began in...

read more

Soap Box Derby Senior Day is September 26

Calling All Sox Box Derby Lovers and Adventure Seekers 55+ Get ready to relive your glory days (or experience them for the very first time!) at Senior Day on Thursday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) in Akron, Ohio. This...

read more

Soap Box Derby Hall of Famer “Tex” Finsterwald passes at 81

Herman “Tex” Finsterwald II of Grand Blanc, Michigan, a 2006 inductee into the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) Hall of Fame, died on Friday, July 12. He was 81. Tex’s long-time love of Soap Box Derby began when he raced as a child in Flint, Michigan in the 1950s....

read more