- Date Of Birth: July 25, 1929
- Date Of Death: May 11, 2020
- Spouse: Ila Jo Wallace Bishop
- Children: Reita Jane Bishop, John David Bishop
- Occupation: Chaplain
- City: Mt. Pleasant
- State: Texas
Rev. Jim Bishop graduated to heaven peacefully on May 11, 2020 while at home with loving family and caregivers after struggling for several weeks following a fall, surgery and rehab. His spirit was willing however his body was too weak to continue to fight.
Known for his quick wit and humor, he enjoyed telling people he entered the world in Mt. Pleasant, Texas on July 25, 1929. “Little did I know that I was the forerunner of the Great Depression. I was pretty young when I was born so I remember nothing about it!” That was indicative of how he learned to tell stories, jokes and evoke smiles. He believed that if he could help someone smile it would make that moment in their day better.
Immediately after high school, Jim enlisted in the USAF to help support his mother and younger brother. He would serve almost 7 years and be stationed at 7 different military bases including Japan and Korea. Through the years, he enjoyed sharing stories of his escapades while an enlisted man.
He hitchhiked to Decatur Alabama in 1953 so his grandmother, Granny Bishop, could meet the only grandchild she had never met at that time. While there, he would meet his future bride, Ila Jo Wallace, when he and his uncle went to visit her Daddy. It was part of God’s plan for his life as Ila Jo introduced him to Jesus Christ. That was the beginning of a new life and new path. Jim answered the call to ministry and would serve his Lord faithfully in ministry for over 60 years.
He had several distinctions throughout his life. Jim was the only sibling in his family to graduate high school. He would complete three academic degrees and serve in various denominational roles. He re-entered the Army in 1966 as an officer and Chaplain and was stationed in Georgia, Germany, New York and Maryland. He also served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded several medals and decorations during his military career. After retiring from the Army, he continued to serve as pastor, often alongside his minister of music wife.
During his ministry as a civilian, he Pastored churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, New York, Tennessee, and Maryland. He also served on the Chaplaincy Evangelism Team of the North American Mission Board. It was during his “second retirement” in Tennessee that God used Jim and his wife Jo to restart a church plant, First Baptist Church Tellico Village.
This husband and wife team was part of God’s plan to lead a small group that began meeting in a room at the community Yacht Club, to a store front, to a sanctuary to reach the community for Jesus Christ. The foundation established continues today as the Gospel is shared and demonstrated through this thriving church. He was named Pastor Emeritus several years ago and continued to experience love and care from the church throughout the remainder of his life.
His greatest distinction that he loved was that of husband, Daddy, Dad, Granddaddy, Pawpaw and Uncle. He enjoyed spending time with family whether playing specific family games, bantering over football and other sports or sitting around telling stories.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of over 64 years, Ila Jo Wallace Bishop, daughter, Reita Jane Bishop, son John David Bishop and wife Patrice, daughter-n-law Debby Reynolds-Bishop (wife of deceased son James L. Bishop); Grandchildren James (Jimmy) L. Bishop II, Jennifer Bishop Johnson and husband Jeff, and step-granddaughter Leah Winebrenner; Great-grandchildren Michael James, Justice Kane, Aaliya Marie, Jaymes Lyric and step-grandchildren Clayton and Dalton; Great-great granddaughter Luna Celine-Grace and many nieces and nephews in his home state of Texas.
Jim has joined the great cloud of witnesses as written in Hebrews 12:1. He has reunited with family and friends who went before him including his parents, seven siblings, and son James L. Bishop. His physical presence on earth will be missed however his legacy and influence lives on through the many he impacted during his life. Those left behind will surely look forward to the day each will be reunited with him again.
