Michael Bruce Bishop

Michael Bruce Bishop, Sr. of Nicholson, died Monday, November 11, 2019. He was sixty-five years old. Born August 30, 1954 in Athens to Jack and Marie Bishop, he was the second of four children. Michael grew up in Apalachee, Georgia and was a graduate of Morgan County High School. After high school he attended the University of Georgia.

In the summer of 1974, he met Priscilla Nicholson and they were married March 2, 1975. Shortly thereafter he joined the United States Army.

Mike, as his friends called him, served his country for 17 and a half years. He was stationed in Ft. Benning, GA; Baumholder, Germany; Ft. Belvoir, VA; Scoffield Barracks, Hawaii; Seoul, South Korea and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. His specialization was engineering and explosives, and he was a decorated sharpshooter, achieving many awards. In 1992, Mike retired as a Sergeant First Class and moved home to Georgia with his wife and children.

After the military, he went into manufacturing and eventually into agricultural construction and engineering where he ran his own business working with his son-in-law David until his passing.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with his family. Taking his children outdoors and passing on his love of nature was one of his most favorite things. He loved going to Santee Cooper to fish with his father, Jack and his brother, David.

Mike was an ordained deacon who served many years as a Sunday school teacher, food bank organizer, children's church teacher and he even sang in the choir in Hawaii. He instilled the value of serving others in his children and showed them what it means to be a follower of Christ.

A man who lived simply and faithfully, Michael loved his family and most of all he loved the Lord. Until he wasn't able, he was actively involved in every church he was a member of. Mike was an ordained deacon who served many years as a Sunday school teacher, food bank organizer, children's church teacher and he even sang in the choir in Hawaii. He instilled the value of serving others in his children and showed them what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Mike was a hard-working man who not only helped anyone in need but fiercely cared for his family. He and Priscilla were married for 44 years and had three children Michael Jr., Robert and Angela. Through the years he always made sure his family had what they needed.

He enjoyed watching John Wayne movies and especially loved watching Santee Cooper fishing shows with his granddaughter Michaela. They often talked of the many fish she would catch and that she would catch bigger "water kitties" than he would.

Mike and Priscilla built a loving and strong family together that held together through even the hardest times with love, faith and each other. He dearly loved his wife, his children, his parents, brother and sisters and was a friend to all. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, soldier and Christian.

Michael was preceded in death by his son Michael Jr., his grandparents Lillie and Eddie Moon and Leila and Melvin Bishop and his niece Tamara. He is survived by his wife Priscilla, son Robert, daughter Angela, granddaughter Michaela, son-in-law David, parents Jack and Marie, brother David and sister-in-law Kathy; sister Faith and brother-in-law Tripp; and sister Tricia and brother-in-law Larry.

In lieu flowers please donate to the National Kidney Foundations.