James Robert Bishop

Most of those who achieve greatness become a focal point in the public spotlight. However, a select few are content with the life of an observer. Such was the life of James Robert Bishop. He passed peacefully escorted by Heavenly Angels and surrounded by family on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, in the spring as his garden hosted resting deer, sparrows, and bees hunting nectar. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son, a believer in God and Jesus Christ, he leaves a profound impact on his posterity for years to come.

James, commonly known as Jim, Robert Bishop was born on August 19th, 1942, in Bell, California to James Frederick Bishop and Bessie Mary Bartholio. Jim lived most of his life in Southern California where he graduated from Westchester High School. He was known for his love of his dog Poncho, bowling, and driving his 57 Chevy. After being drafted into the US Army during 1964 in Ford Ord, California, Jim served in Vietnam for one year. In 1968, Jim returned home from the war and married Rosanne Chapman on September 7th in the Los Angeles Temple. He proceeded to attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In his professional career, Jim enjoyed holding several positions within various companies in California, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah. One of his favorite jobs was at Hercules Aerospace in Magna, Utah where he was involved in a joint venture with NASA designing rocket booster rings and robotics. Later, Jim retired in 2017 after several successful years as a Project Engineer for the Federal Government at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jim had an unwavering love and the conviction of goodness and strength derived from his ancestors. The same ancestors that sacrificed their religious freedom and pioneered across the plains during their trek west. Reflecting on these achievements, Jim remarked “we should be grateful to God and to these people who have given us life, love, and courage.”

Jim credited his success to the commitment of the following values: love of God and neighbor, integrity, kindness, hard work, patience, and perseverance. He was driven by the belief that God takes care of those who look after their fellow men. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jim was dedicated to the savior. Additionally, he was committed to the principles of the church by providing Humanitarian service and faithfully served in many church callings. Jim often said “our family motto is to accept everyone and respect their own beliefs regardless of where we lived and show kindness.”

Staying behind to carry on his legacy of love are his wife Rosanne of 55 wonderful years and their five children; Andrea (Jesse), Bryan (Mary), Rebecca, Juliane (Bill), and Scott (Terica); 11 grandchildren whom he adored; and one sister, Laurel (Richard). Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Our family would like to express special thanks to the Ogden Regional Intensive Care Unit staff who cared for our husband and father with tender loving care as he struggled to stay alive. Jim’s beautiful blue eyes have been donated to The University of Utah for Ophthalmology Research for Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 16th at 11 a.m. at the Fruit Heights 8th Ward Chapel on 170 North Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, Utah 84037. Russon Brothers Mortuary will provide visitation services from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment – Kaysville City Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the local chapter of The US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory/100057447129518/) and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Heart Institute at McKay Dee Hospital or Ogden Regional Intensive Care Unit.

Jim was a simple man who had an extraordinary life not because he helped reshaped the world, but rather he reshaped his life, always ready and willing to serve people with acts of charity and service. He is proud of the family he leaves behind in their own values: work ethic, persistence, resilience, and education. He loved people and was loved by many.

He will be missed.