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John Thomas Bishop, 22: Gaylord soldier dies in Iraq vehicle rollover
By Jil Schult, Staff Writer
Friday, April 25, 2008 4:07 PM EDT
John Bishop, 22, and his wife Diane, were to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in July. John died in a vehicle rollover in Iraq on Wednesday. (Courtesy photo)
GAYLORD - A Gaylord soldier whose family described him as a “patriotic,” “a thrill-seeker” and “addicted to family,” died Wednesday in a vehicle rollover in Iraq.
U.S. Army Pfc. John Thomas Bishop, 22, died when a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle carrying six soldiers rolled down a hill into a canal after a bridge or road gave way, according to his wife, Diane Lynn (Caddell) Bishop.
Bishop, a member of the Fort Campbell Kentucky 101st Airborne Division, was deployed to Iraq last summer.
“John’s feeling honorable right now,” said his wife during a telephone interview Friday. “He was proud of what he did. He never had a regret.”
According to Bishop’s father, John William Bishop of Gaylord, one other soldier died in the rollover.
U.S. Army Pfc. John Thomas Bishop, 22, died when a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle carrying six soldiers rolled down a hill into a canal after a bridge or road gave way, according to his wife, Diane Lynn (Caddell) Bishop.
Bishop, a member of the Fort Campbell Kentucky 101st Airborne Division, was deployed to Iraq last summer.
“John’s feeling honorable right now,” said his wife during a telephone interview Friday. “He was proud of what he did. He never had a regret.”
According to Bishop’s father, John William Bishop of Gaylord, one other soldier died in the rollover.
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Bishop awoke to screaming at approximately 11:30 Wednesday night when his wife, Gaye, learned of their son’s death when military officers arrived at the couple’s home.
“It’s been tough,” his father said in a telephone interview Friday. “He was a great kid ” a great son ” well liked by all the kids in town.
“He was very patriotic,” his father added. Young Bishop enlisted in the service in August of 2006.
Diane, who was staying with her mother about 10 miles south of Gaylord, was in town Wednesday evening when her mother called her to come home.
“I knew,” Diane said, implying she knew something bad happened to her husband.
“I started asking God for it not to be.”
Assuming the worse, Diane asked a friend to ride with her.
“My stomach was in knots the whole way home ” it seemed like an hour.”
When she arrived, she recognized the vehicle in the driveway; she had seen it the first time she met the officer from Camp Grayling.
Her mother and friend took Diane by the arms and walked her up the officers where she learned she was a widow at the age of 21.
John Thomas Bishop attended Gaylord High School and earned his GED ahead of his class as a sophomore.
Bishop came from a service-oriented family. His ancestors fought as far back as the American Revolutionary War, noted his father. The elder Bishop served during the Vietnam War and his eldest son, Bernie Bishop, enlisted during the Persian Gulf War.
Young Bishop’s brother, Kevin Tye of Gaylord, is serving his second tour in Iraq. Because of his brother’s death, he will return home today (Saturday).
Bishop was a daredevil; he loved life, snowmobiling, skydiving, fishing and driving fast, according to his father.
“He was a thrillseeker,” he said.
Diane Bishop, who said the couple would have celebrated their first anniversary in July, agreed. She went on two skydiving adventures with her husband, who was her best friend long before their first kiss, she said.
“My mom used to say my life will never be boring,” Diane said. “My life hasn’t been boring for a day since I met John. I’m not too sure how I’m going to experience too many new things without him.”
The couple met during their freshman year of high school.
“He and I were best friends all through high school,” said Diane.
But the summer before her senior year, something changed.
“He kissed me,” she said. “Then I ignored his phone calls for three days. I thought, why is my best friend kissing me?”
The couple was inseparable and when he was home on block leave, before leaving for Iraq, he asked her to marry him. She said, yes. The couple went to Las Vegas and were they were married. Family and friends were able to watch the couple wed through a live Internet broadcast.
“My parents fully supported it,” she said. “They knew we were soulmates since we were 15.”
Her husband was home on leave last month. The couple had just decided he would re-enlist for six years.
Bishop is survived by two half-brothers, Bernie Bishop and Kevin Tye and two half-sisters, Jennifer Tye and Lisa Katchmark, and two nieces Ashley, 20, and Amanda, 12, Katchmark.
“He was addicted to family,” said Diane. “There’s nothing that he’d rather do than stand out on the dock and fish with all the kids or throw a couple of the kids in the car and take them to ice cream.”
“There’s nothing he wouldn’t try once, that’s for sure he’s so much fun” his wife said.
Bishop’s body is expected to be returned to Gaylord in seven to 10 days when the family expects to have a full military funeral service.
“I believe you cannot support the troops without supporting the war ” ask any soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Diane.
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him. John wouldn’t be scared: He was proud of what he was doing.”
Contact Jil Schult at 748-4518 or jil@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
“It’s been tough,” his father said in a telephone interview Friday. “He was a great kid ” a great son ” well liked by all the kids in town.
“He was very patriotic,” his father added. Young Bishop enlisted in the service in August of 2006.
Diane, who was staying with her mother about 10 miles south of Gaylord, was in town Wednesday evening when her mother called her to come home.
“I knew,” Diane said, implying she knew something bad happened to her husband.
“I started asking God for it not to be.”
Assuming the worse, Diane asked a friend to ride with her.
“My stomach was in knots the whole way home ” it seemed like an hour.”
When she arrived, she recognized the vehicle in the driveway; she had seen it the first time she met the officer from Camp Grayling.
Her mother and friend took Diane by the arms and walked her up the officers where she learned she was a widow at the age of 21.
John Thomas Bishop attended Gaylord High School and earned his GED ahead of his class as a sophomore.
Bishop came from a service-oriented family. His ancestors fought as far back as the American Revolutionary War, noted his father. The elder Bishop served during the Vietnam War and his eldest son, Bernie Bishop, enlisted during the Persian Gulf War.
Young Bishop’s brother, Kevin Tye of Gaylord, is serving his second tour in Iraq. Because of his brother’s death, he will return home today (Saturday).
Bishop was a daredevil; he loved life, snowmobiling, skydiving, fishing and driving fast, according to his father.
“He was a thrillseeker,” he said.
Diane Bishop, who said the couple would have celebrated their first anniversary in July, agreed. She went on two skydiving adventures with her husband, who was her best friend long before their first kiss, she said.
“My mom used to say my life will never be boring,” Diane said. “My life hasn’t been boring for a day since I met John. I’m not too sure how I’m going to experience too many new things without him.”
The couple met during their freshman year of high school.
“He and I were best friends all through high school,” said Diane.
But the summer before her senior year, something changed.
“He kissed me,” she said. “Then I ignored his phone calls for three days. I thought, why is my best friend kissing me?”
The couple was inseparable and when he was home on block leave, before leaving for Iraq, he asked her to marry him. She said, yes. The couple went to Las Vegas and were they were married. Family and friends were able to watch the couple wed through a live Internet broadcast.
“My parents fully supported it,” she said. “They knew we were soulmates since we were 15.”
Her husband was home on leave last month. The couple had just decided he would re-enlist for six years.
Bishop is survived by two half-brothers, Bernie Bishop and Kevin Tye and two half-sisters, Jennifer Tye and Lisa Katchmark, and two nieces Ashley, 20, and Amanda, 12, Katchmark.
“He was addicted to family,” said Diane. “There’s nothing that he’d rather do than stand out on the dock and fish with all the kids or throw a couple of the kids in the car and take them to ice cream.”
“There’s nothing he wouldn’t try once, that’s for sure he’s so much fun” his wife said.
Bishop’s body is expected to be returned to Gaylord in seven to 10 days when the family expects to have a full military funeral service.
“I believe you cannot support the troops without supporting the war ” ask any soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Diane.
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him. John wouldn’t be scared: He was proud of what he was doing.”
Contact Jil Schult at 748-4518 or jil@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
19 comment(s)
southernxmind wrote on May 11, 2008 11:07 PM:
" I am Johns niece and i just wanted to say that it really touched me when everyone came out to support John by lining the street showing their respect. That was the hardest thing I have ever gone through so I would appreciate it
if the comments posted on here were respectful..Thank You All! "
if the comments posted on here were respectful..Thank You All! "
Col.Marklar wrote on May 8, 2008 11:14 PM:
" lkatchmark, "we" would like to thank you and your family, not to mention John himself, for your sacrifices. He will always be a hero in "everyone's" eyes.
The Col. "
The Col. "
lkatchmark wrote on May 8, 2008 1:25 PM:
" I am the sister of John and would really just like to thank the citizens of Gaylord for their support. I was quite amazed at the amount of people that came into town the day of the funeral in support of John and our family.
He will always be a True Hero in my eyes. I
love you Johnboy. Thank You citizens of Gaylord. "
He will always be a True Hero in my eyes. I
love you Johnboy. Thank You citizens of Gaylord. "
alpine wrote on May 8, 2008 10:16 AM:
" Chief2120 - thats your opnion, and your entitled to it. HOWEVER like you and your opnion, i will not tell you that YOU should be ashamed for your opnion, and call you a disgrace. Its your opnion, and I respect that. I still respectlfully agree to disagree. "
chief2120 wrote on May 7, 2008 11:51 PM:
" The comment by Alpine "" Our freedoms? or was he defending the Republicans plan to secure oil that is not ours? " Should be ashamed of him or herself. Soldier's like Bishop are defending our country. I'm hurt that someone would post a comment like this, when a life was lost. He is a true Hero. It takes a lot of Courage to be in the Military.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Alpine--you should be ashamed of yourself. You are a disgrace to the citizens of the U.S.A! "
My thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Alpine--you should be ashamed of yourself. You are a disgrace to the citizens of the U.S.A! "
kam wrote on May 3, 2008 4:14 PM:
" I can only imagine the pain and sorrow the Bishop family is feeling. I have a son stationed in Iraq serving his second tour and I know what fear a parent feels every time they hear anything about the war.
God Bless you John Bishop.
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
My guess would be this statement says if you cannot support the troops, stand in front of them on the battle line?
That's what I read into it.
"
God Bless you John Bishop.
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
My guess would be this statement says if you cannot support the troops, stand in front of them on the battle line?
That's what I read into it.
"
leftupnorth wrote on May 2, 2008 9:34 PM:
" Yes Kaiser you are right.
I apologize to everyone for helping distract from the subject.
I'd still like to know what Diane Bishop meant when she said:
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
If anyone could shed some light upon this I would be grateful.
Rest in Peace John Bishop. You and your family served this country honorably. I am grateful for that, even though I may not agree with the occupation.
"
I apologize to everyone for helping distract from the subject.
I'd still like to know what Diane Bishop meant when she said:
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
If anyone could shed some light upon this I would be grateful.
Rest in Peace John Bishop. You and your family served this country honorably. I am grateful for that, even though I may not agree with the occupation.
"
KAISER WILHELM wrote on May 2, 2008 9:02 PM:
" Dear Leftupnorth: The real "colonel" will be exposed eventually. He just made a derogatory post about you on one of my blogs. Hes losing it.
In any event, thank you for standing up to this incredibly obnoxious creep called colonel marklar (I call him Colonel EGO).
We are however digressing from the original theme of this message thread, which is to honor this slain soldier and to give prayer and comfort to his family in this time of need.
Whether one agrees with the war in Iraq or not, we have an obligation to support those who in good faith enter our armed services in an attempt to serve their country.
Those who oppose this war, do so in the interest of saving the lives of our young men and women as well as to honor the sacrifice of all those who have served and continue to serve.
God Bless
"
In any event, thank you for standing up to this incredibly obnoxious creep called colonel marklar (I call him Colonel EGO).
We are however digressing from the original theme of this message thread, which is to honor this slain soldier and to give prayer and comfort to his family in this time of need.
Whether one agrees with the war in Iraq or not, we have an obligation to support those who in good faith enter our armed services in an attempt to serve their country.
Those who oppose this war, do so in the interest of saving the lives of our young men and women as well as to honor the sacrifice of all those who have served and continue to serve.
God Bless
"
leftupnorth wrote on May 2, 2008 12:09 PM:
" Again, the Col demonstrates his hypocrisy.
Don't worry Mark, I know you can't help it. "
Don't worry Mark, I know you can't help it. "
Col.Marklar wrote on Apr 30, 2008 2:03 PM:
" Nor was it meant to be a place for "leftupnorth" to take their witless swipe at The Col. But, hey, at least ya tried.
I am the "Imperialistic" wind! The Col. "
I am the "Imperialistic" wind! The Col. "
leftupnorth wrote on Apr 28, 2008 4:48 PM:
" What does Diane mean with this statement:
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
And to the illustrious Col - your comment "to the victor goes the spoils" is an imperialistic attitude to hold. We (yes, the royal we) don't need that in this country, we were never meant to be empire.
That statement also shows you to be a hypocrit after admonishing someone else for bringing a political subject up under this article. "
“If you don’t want to stand behind them, stand in front of him."
And to the illustrious Col - your comment "to the victor goes the spoils" is an imperialistic attitude to hold. We (yes, the royal we) don't need that in this country, we were never meant to be empire.
That statement also shows you to be a hypocrit after admonishing someone else for bringing a political subject up under this article. "
drpercussion wrote on Apr 28, 2008 8:05 AM:
" Thank you John, for your courage
Thank you John, for your love of country
Thank you John, thank you.
We are all forever in your debt. "
Thank you John, for your love of country
Thank you John, thank you.
We are all forever in your debt. "
Col.Marklar wrote on Apr 27, 2008 2:17 PM:
" Alpine, you idiot! I don't think this page was meant to further some jacked-up "democratic/liberal", conspiracy theory, about "OIL". (Which shouldn't be a "theory" anyway! "To the Victor goes the spoils!" the old saying goes) But rather a place for those who want to say a little something about a man who will be remembered for his sacrifice to his country! Whether on a road in Iraq, or here in the States. He died a proud member of The United States Army, doing his duty, regardless of the "political" situation. Condolences, to PFC Bishop's family and friends. Currahee, Trooper!
I am the wind! The Col. "
I am the wind! The Col. "
alpine wrote on Apr 27, 2008 11:24 AM:
" Our freedoms? or was he defending the Republicans plan to secure oil that is not ours? "
but seriously... wrote on Apr 27, 2008 10:02 AM:
" May god bless John Bishop. Although I did not know him, I feel that I owe him a debt of gratitude. He lost his life defending our freedoms, and to me, that makes him a true american. Thank you John. "
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