Robert Bishop

Robert Blake Bishop Chiefland, Florida - Robert Blake (Bob) Bishop passed away on June 22, 2018 after a lengthy time of decline at the age of 91. He was born on September 8, 1926 in Lookout, KY to Lundy Bishop and Ethel Elswick Bishop. He was the oldest of four children and the only son. Bob graduated from Catlettsburg High School, Catlettsburg, KY in 1944 and from Berne Davis Business College in Columbus, OH in 1949. He was drafted into the US Army in 1944, serving in Germany at the end of World War II. While stationed in Germany, he attended some of the Nuremburg Trials. Upon returning home from his active tour of duty, Bob continued to serve in the US Army Reserves for a number of years while living Ohio and Florida. In 1953 His family moved from Ohio to Florida, settling in Chiefland. On August 14, 1955, he married Ovieda Beauchamp and they remained husband and wife until his death. Bob and Ovieda lived their entire married lives in Chiefland where they raised three children, Kent, Linda and Mark. Many people knew Bob Bishop as a building contractor in Florida, who also built homes in Georgia and North Carolina. He built over 200 houses in the Tri-County area as well as motels in Ohio and Florida. Bob opened Bishop Ready-Mix Concrete in 1960 and was Co-Owner of Mills and Bishop Lumber Company. Bob was a real estate developer along with his Father-in-Law, W.O. Beauchamp, Sr. They developed Greenwood Acres and Chiefland Golf and Country Club on Manatee Springs Road. A man of many talents, Bob designed the 18 hole golf course and personally worked along-side others to clear the land, define the fairways and build up the tee boxes and greens. The golf course property was donated to the Chiefland Golf and Country Club once the course was completed and the club house constructed. Bob was a member of First Baptist Church of Chiefland for 65 years, served as Sunday School Teacher for Jr. High Boys, helped in Vacation Bible School with crafts and Missions, and served on several committees including the building committee for the present sanctuary. Bob participated in many mission trips, including Africa and Costa Rica. He was joined by his wife Ovieda on many other mission trips to Brazil and to Jamaica (for over 25 years) where they led Bible Schools and worked on construction projects. After Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, Bob was instrumental in determining what materials and volunteers would be needed as over 100 churches were repaired throughout the island. As a long-time member of the Gideons, wherever Bob went, he personally handed out Bibles to people as he shared the plan of salvation. Bob volunteered at Lancaster Correctional Institute for over 25 years and was recognized as volunteer of the year multiple times. A man who could do anything he set out to do, Bob was a private pilot and rebuilt airplanes, cars and trucks even designing and building them from the frame up. He also collected antique cars and was a member of the Early Ford Club and the Tri-county Cruisers. Some of Bobs other interests included amateur radio, western horseback riding, reading particularly westerns; he studied the Civil War and World War II. He did his own ancestry and genealogy searching without the use of a computer or internet, long before it was popular, tracing his family back to the Jamestown settlement. A true craftsman, Bob built boats, black powder guns, knives (including pocket knives), jewelry, tree stands, and water wheels. Bob was an avid hunter and expert marksman, fisherman, golfer and prankster. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Ossilee Bennett of Chiefland, FL and Charlene Jordan of Jonesboro, GA. He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Ovieda, their children, Kent (Kathy) Bishop of Tallahassee, FL, Linda Losey of Tallahassee, FL, Mark (Christel) Bishop of Trenton, FL, nine grandchildren: Nicholas (Heather) Bishop of Parrish, FL, Karli Bishop of Anthony, FL , Kaitlyn Losey of Tallahassee, FL, Darian Losey, of Tallahassee, FL, Briana (Cole) Prince of Cairo, GA, Brandalyn Bishop of Trenton, FL and Bethalan Bishop of Trenton, FL, Todd (Christina) Hope of Fishers, IN, Doug (fiance -Whitney Mynatt) Hope of Trenton, FL, seven great-grandchildren, one sister, Dorothy (Dick) Remington of Chiefland, FL , and dozens of nieces and nephews in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to be made in Bobs memory to the Suwannee South Gideons or the building fund at First Baptist Church of Chiefland, FL. Celebrations of life for Bob will be held on Monday, June 25, 2018 with visitation from 10:30 AM -12:30 PM at the First Baptist Church in Chiefland, FL. and funeral service starting at 12:30 PM with Rev. Gordon Keller officiating. Burial will follow at Chiefland Cemetery. Arrangements for Bob are under the care of Knauff Funeral Home Chiefland, FL. SERVICES

Visitation

Monday, June 25, 2018 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

First Baptist Church Chiefland 511 N Young Blvd Chiefland, FL 32626

Funeral Service

Monday, June 25, 2018 12:30 PM

First Baptist Church Chiefland 511 N Young Blvd Chiefland, FL 32626