GORDON E. BISHOP, LT. USN retired, died peacefully at his home in Sedro-Woolley on Friday May 7, 2004.
He was born on December 6, 1917 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, the son of Edward & Etta Plummer Bishop. He was raised and attained his education Bonners Ferry and made his home there until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1936. While stationed in San Pedro, CA on the battleship U.S.S. West Virginia he met Mary Thomas, his wife of 65 years, on a blind date. Gordon was later sent to Hawaii, surviving the bombing of the U.S.S. West Virginia at Pearl Harbor and later the fierce battle of Savo Island, at which numerous U.S. Navy ships were sunk in less than an hour. He also served in the Korean Conflict. He was very proud to have served his county and was a staunch supporter of U.S. Troops.
He retired in 1957 after 22 years in the Navy. He and Mary then bought a farm in Acme and later in Sedro-Woolley. He often lamented that he had seen enough of the world and planned to ‘stay put’ for the remainder of his life. In 1957 he attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he earned a B.A. degree in education. He then taught elementary school at Mary Purcell, Samish and Central schools in the Sedro-Woolley School District for 17 years, retiring in 1978.
Gordon enjoyed politics, baseball, reading, raising cattle on his farm and remodeling their farmhouse. He had been a member of the American Legion and the Elks Lodge.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Vincent Cochran, a brother, Pete Bishop and 2 sisters, Connie Parker and Beryl Truscott.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His son, Ed Bishop and his wife Carol of Rockport; his daughter, Barbara Bishop of Mount Vernon; A sister, Lenore Huddleston in Bellflower, California; Honorary daughter, Yuyun Ho and her son Liam of Sedro-Woolley. A granddaughter, Suzy Starck and her husband Kyle Weiler, and their son Morgan Weiler of Sedro-Woolley and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley or the Salvation Army.
A Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2004 at 7:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. Pastor Rick Gossett officiating.
Cremation and services under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Share memories of Gordon and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com