Francis Vernon Bishop 1929-2015

Our beloved husband, brother, and father Francis Vernon Bishop completed his earthly journey January 3, 2015 in Topeka.

Francis was born February 4, 1929 in Andover, New Brunswick, Canada.  He was the youngest of five sons of Frank Bishop and Viota Isabel Stewart.  Francis is tge descendent of Scottish and French immigrants to the Maritime Province of New Brunswick, Canada.

After graduation from Andover High School, Francis followed his brother Charles to Kansas City. Uncle Charlie was an airline pilot and avid art collector. The brothers shared a lifelong passion for aviation and art. Francis enrolled at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg where he met his true love, Anna Ruth Crockett of Albany MO. They graduated from CMSU in 1950.

Francis joined the U.S. Army, 1st Cavalry, serving in the Korean Conflict. While on leave, he and Ruth married May 21, 1951 at First Methodist Church, St. Joseph, Missouri. They honeymooned at Lake of the Ozarks. Francis was proudly naturalized as U.S. citizen in 1953. He honorably discharged from the Army with rank of Corporal and attended Kansas University to study petroleum engineering. He graduated and joined Texaco Oil on assignment to Cut Bank, Montana where son Stewart was born in 1954. Francis and Ruth later settled in Topeka, Kansas, and were blessed with daughter Reta Jane in 1960.

After retirement from Kansas Board of Health, Francis volunteered for the VA Hospital, logging over 17,000 hours. Francis is survived by his wife, son, daughter, daughter-in-law Antonia, sister Catherine, and pet cat Mozart.  Antonia brought Francis much support and joy in his later days. He always told her Toni, keep a strong song in your heart and tell Mom we love her .

Francis had a great sense of humor, was profoundly honest, and stayed optimistic in the face of great challenges. He enjoyed art, auctions, stamp collecting, cars, aviation, birds, gardening, Siamese cats and Airedale dogs. Francis loved the Lutheran Church and sincerely confessed all oaths. He believed and taught that we are saved by faith not deeds. Visitation and lunch followed by memorial service is at 12 noon, Friday January 9, at Faith Lutheran Church, 17th and Gage. Burial is at a later date. All friends, family, and congregation are invited.

More on Francis life is at: http://www.forevermissed.com/francis-vernon-bishop. He is forever in our hearts.

Topeka Capital Journal Francis Vernon Bishop - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspx?n=francis-bishop&pid=173758986#sthash.n75abWTG.dpuf

Video to be added shortly.  

A memorial funeral service was held for Dad on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS.  The attached video of the service was provided by the church for Family and Friends that were not able to attend.

Donations in Dad's name may be made via check to Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS  66604

Stewart created this wonderful DVD to honor Dad and it includes many special pictures taken throughout his life.  

He created this video with the guidance of a fantastic graphic artist named Khaili Scarbrough.  She can be reached at khailiscarb@gmail.com.

Mom and Dad, we love you forever.

Antonia, Ruth, and Dad at lunch, Aug. 27, 2014

At Mom's 87th birthday party, July 4, 2014: Mom, Reta Jane, Antonia, and Dad

Antonia "Toni" Kirui joined our family this past July 2014 - and none of us can imagine life without her!  She was Dad's loving daughter-in-law and constant support - sharing daily joys of life together.  Toni's nursing expertise helped contribute immensely to Dad's quality of life.

Her beautiful smile and backrubs were Dad's "tonic".

Dad and Stewart's Wife Antonia admire "Mozart", Dad's 17-lb loveable Siamese cat. Topeka, KS  2014.

Jane and her partner Dorain have shared many happy times with Mom and Dad over the past seven years.  Here is a picture from a recent outing to Lawrence, KS - and of course includes coffee!  Lawrence, KS 2013

Reta Jane, Ruth, Stewart, and Dad share their love of good coffee at PT's.  Topeka, KS, 2012

After retirement, Dad logged over 17,000 hours of volunteer time for the VA Hospital in Topeka, KS.

Mom and Dad worshipped at Faith Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS for nearly 50 years. They both found the Lutheran churches in Topeka (St. John's and Faith) to be strong sources of support and spirituality throughout their lives.

In 2013, Dad asked for a cat - and God sent him Mozart ("Mo").  Dad and I picked up "Mo" from the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Ottowa, Kansas.  "Mo" is a gorgeous, wonderful big 'ole teddy bear of a Siamese boy and was Dad's faithful companion up til his passing - even keeping vigil at Dad's hospice bedside.  

**Prairie Paws is a wonderful rural animal shelter.  Donations may be made in Dad and Mo's name via the following link:  http://prairiepaws.org/honoriam-memorials/
 

Mom and Dad shared a life-long love of Siamese cats.

Left: Reta Jane with Mom and Dad's first Siamese cat - aptly named "Si". 

Right: Anna Ruth with "Camille".

Left:  Dad had a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. Here he stands next to a plane with his older brother Charles - our Uncle Charlie.

Right:  "Uncle Charlie" in the home he designed - sitting with Dad.  Colorado Springs, CO 1982

Uncle Charlie was Dad's lifelong mentor and was a great inspiration to us all.   

Dad, Stewart, and Mom on vacation.  Stewart showed Mom and Dad the "time of their lives" on this trip!!  Napa Valley Wine Train, Summer 2001

Left:  Mom, Dad, and his sister Catherine, 1992

Right:  Dad and Stewart. Christmas, Topeka, KS  1998

Dad, Mom, and Stewart vacation in Canada, 1984

Left:  Mom and Reta Jane at home.  Topeka, KS  1974

Right:  Mom with Reta Jane in cap and gown (High School).  Topeka, KS  1978

Crockett Family Reunion, Estes Park, CO

Back Row (L-R): Janice Crockett, Olen Crockett, Bob Crockett, Ralph Holstein, Donnie Parman, Ralph Crockett.  

Back Row (L-R): Verlys Crockett, Dad, Mom, Nadyne Parman, Arlene Ball, Marsha Crockett, Roy Ball.  

Mom and Dad attending Nadyne and Donnie Parman's 40th Wedding Anniversary:

(L-R) Roy Ball (Arlene's Husband), Arlene, Donnie Parman (Nadyne's Husband), Nadyne, Mom, Dad, and Reta Jane. West Lafayette, Indiana 1993

Family is so important to Mom and Dad, and their love and support continue to mean the world to us! This picture was taken from the 1964 Crockett Reunion.  

Back Row (L-R): Ralph, Olen, Ralph, Francis

Front Row (L-R): Marsha, Verlys, Nadyne, Velma, Grandma Stella, Mom, Arlene

Family Vacation to Minnesota. Stewart, Mom, Dad & Reta Jane. Front: Cousins Diane & Karen Sue. 1962 

Stewart and Reta Jane.  1961

Mom, Reta Jane, Stewart, and Dad, 1960

Mom and Dad welcome their daughter, Reta Jane on Oct. 6, 1960

As in Canada, Dad owns an Airedale dog named "Ozone".  This picture shows Stewart, Dad, Ozone and Reta Jane in 1965

Kansas proves itself to be as snowy as Montana!  Dad and Stewart in Topeka, KS March 1960

Mom and Dad's Mentors, Walter and Annie Schmid, of St. John's Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS.  The Schmids were so very important in helping the young couple establish themselves back in Kansas.

Dad, Stewart, and Mom, August 1959

Dad (R) with Stewart (L) and niece Cindy (C - Mom's sister Arlene's oldest daughter). They are standing in front of the apartment rented from St. John's Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS

Stewart models the contrasting juxtaposition in Cut Bank seasonal attire. Montana Winter & Summer 1956

Dad, Stewart (C-6 mos), and Mom on a warm day in Cut Bank, Montana. Summer 1955

After graduating from Kansas University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, Dad joins Texaco Oil.  His first assignment is in Cut Bank, Montana, 1954

 

Mom and Dad beam while holding their niece Debbie (Olen's first-born), Lawrence KS February 1954.

Mom and Dad expect their first child, Stewart.  Lawrence, KS 1954.  

No wonder Stew is so smart.

Dad and Mom practice their camping skills on break from Dad's studies.  Colorado, 1953

After Dad leaves the U.S. Army, he returns to Kansas University in Lawrence, KS to persue his engineering degree.

This picture shows Dad and Ruth on summer break from his engineering studies at Kansas University: camping in Colorado, 1953 

11 days after marriage, Dad returns to active duty in the Army. The Western Union telegram reads, "Happy Memories… I Love You Ruth"

Our fetching Mother, Ruth during her honeymoon at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. May 25, 1951

Dinner at Grandma's, Albany MO. Dad took this photo while Uncle Bob holds a plate for light reflection. (L-R) Grandma Stella Crockett, Arlene Crockett, Bob Crockett, and Ruth

The Wedding Party:  Front row: Unidentified Man, Oliver and Stella Crockett, Maxine Guess (Maid-of-Honor), Ruth, Dad, Bob Crockett, Catherine Bishop, Frank Bishop, & Ralph Crockett

 

The newlyweds surrounded by their family: (L-R) Oliver and Stella Crockett (Mom's Parents), Ruth, Dad, Catherine Bishop (Dad's sister), and Frank Bishop (Dad's Father).

Picture on Left: Mom and Dad sharing their wedding cake. 

Picture on Right: Our Mother Ruth (C) with "Uncle Charlie" Bishop (R).  Uncle Charlie is Dad's oldest brother.

The bride and groom: Anna "Ruth" Crockett marries our Dad, Francis Vernon Bishop on May 21, 1951

Dad and Ruth marry while he is on leave from the U.S. Army.  Ceremony takes place on the Crockett Family Farm, Albany Missouri.  1951.

Wedding Anncouncement

Even while serving overseas, Dad was interested in art collecting.  Japan 1950

Dad writes home from his bunk at his overseas post.

Private Francis V. Bishop aboard the USNS Marine Adder, heading to Japan and Korea