Surrounded by his loved ones, James Douglas Bishop, 52, of Princeton, West Virginia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 20, 2024. He was the son of the late MacArthur Bishop and the late Christine Thomas. He was a 1990 graduate of Pineville High School. He is survived by his three beloved children, James Ethan Bishop, Katie Rae Bishop, “Kit” Carson Shane Bishop, his best friend of 30 years and mother of his children, Darlene Bishop, many extended family members, and friends.
James was a log truck owner-operator and a West Virginia coal miner. He was a chief electrician for Massey Energy and Alpha Natural Resources, having lost many “brothers” in the UBB explosion. It affected him greatly. Having a love for the outdoors from a young age, James enjoyed hunting and fishing and in 2003 he got the buck of a lifetime. Scoring 188 6/8 nontypical, it remains in the top 10 in the WV state records. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves, never missing a game if he could help it. He enjoyed watching sports and news and talking about both. But there was nothing he loved more than to tell you about his children. He was a proud Father. All of his achievements could not match the pride he felt for them and the joy they brought into his life. Family called him James but friends and coworkers knew him as “Tiny” or “Shaggy”. He loved to laugh and talk and never knew a stranger. It was a great day when someone came to visit.
The world seems a little less bright now without him. To everyone who stood with James and his loved ones over this past year—sending up prayers, mailing cards to him each week and packages, messages of hope and well-wishes, words of encouragement and strength, lifting hands in praise and holding hands in unity—we can’t thank you enough. To the nurses and medical personnel who would call to check on him, saying they would never forget his smile, his sweet nature, his quick wit. Sneaking him biscuits and gravy and ice cream and coming to say goodbye at the end of each shift. The send-offs he got that made him feel so loved, with nurses, doctors and staff lining the hallways cheering him on with high-fives and thumbs up, taking pictures with him and making him feel special. To those who never gave up and worked tirelessly to give him one more day, we are eternally grateful.
A special thank you also to Henry Cox and Charles Cox for the countless days they spent with him, bringing him breakfast on the weekends and whatever else he was craving, hanging out and talking for hours, laughing about old times and listening to his son’s Friday night football games. It meant the world to him. Also thank you to his Uncle and Aunt, Jesse and Teresa Bishop, for their faithfulness in visiting him each week in Morgantown. A familiar face from home can brighten the darkest of days.
James gave his heart to the Lord on November 22, 1994 and together with Darlene was baptized April 2, 1995. He left this world anchored in the faith and hope of seeing the face of Jesus and spending eternity with those he loved.
Think of James the next time you hug your kids or watch their ballgames, he never missed a single one. Go sing off-key karaoke with them and eat Mexican every chance you get. After all James had been through, he never lost his smile.
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day”. 2 Tim. 4:8
Services to celebrate the life of James Douglas Bishop will be held 2:00PM Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. Following the services, James will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Pallbearers will be Ethan Bishop, Kit Bishop, Randall Bond, Henry Cox, David Workman, Jeff Reynolds, Hunter Cochran, and Henry Cox, Jr.
Friends may gather with the family from 12:00PM until time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.
Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhomebeckley.com
Blue Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 5251 Robert C Byrd Drive, Beckley is honored to be serving the family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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