The deaths of George H.W. and Barbara Bush last year are still on the minds of Houstonians. This week, the city of Houston, Texas paid tribute to the former president and First Lady in a beautiful way.
When George Strait performed at a sold out concert at the NRG Stadium on Sunday night, two seats were left empty, and they were engraved with the names of George and Barbara.
The Bushes had been residents of Houston and lifelong supporters of the Houston Rodeo, so officials thought it was important to honor them in this way.
“They had a very special relationship with some of the entertainers, Reba McEntire and Brad Paisley in particular,” explained Rodeo Houston President Joel Cowley. “And when Reba or Brad would play they’d usually come in advance of the show and sit down and visit with them. And then they would enjoy seats right beside the bucking chute.”
Barbara passed away last April at the age of 92, and tributes immediately came pouring in for her from all over the world.
“I already miss this FORCE of a woman— the ‘enforcer’ because she was the glue that held our family together,” her granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager wrote on Instagram. “She taught me to use my voice but also to value the opinions of others.”
Seven months later, George H.W. Bush passed away in November at the age of 94. The couple were married for 73 years.
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