Leroy Bishop OBITUARY

LEROY BISHOP, SMSGT USAF RETIRED April 2, 1936-February 20, 2024 Born to Roy Bishop and Essie (Herod) Bishop in Grapeland, Texas on April 2, 1936. Died on February 20, 2024 in Oroville, CA due to complications of diabetes. Leroy grew up on a farm raising peanuts, cotton and watermelons. In addition to helping his father in the fields, Leroy also had regular farm chores such as milking cows, tending pigs and chickens. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from nearby Palestine, Texas High School in 1955. While in school, he participated in various clubs and sports, especially football, which he loved. After graduation Leroy worked in the West Texas oil fields prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1956. Extremely proud of his military career, he served 16 years at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento as a radar technician on board the AC121 aircraft (commonly known as “The Connie”. During which time that he spent several tours in Vietnam and Thailand. In 1972, Leroy was transferred to Sheppard Air Force Leroy Base in Wichita Falls, Texas as a training instructor. After two years, he then was transferred to Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico for a brief time. This was followed by assignment for him and his family to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan from which he retired after almost 22 years in the Air Force. After retirement, Leroy moved to Houston, Texas to be near his sisters, In 1980, Leroy and family returned to the Sacramento area where he worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and then McClellan Air Force Base as a civilian instructor. Leroy and his wife both retired in the year 2000 and moved to Oroville, California where they enjoyed the lake and quiet small town lifestyle. In Oroville, they made many new friends and attended Foothill Community Church. Leroy was preceded in death by both parents, an older sister, Bennie Mae Dean and youngest son Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Nita of 67 years and eldest son Russell of Oroville CA, daughter-in-law Kathy of Rocklin, CA, granddaughter Amber McCauley of Sutter Creek, CA grandson Lee Bishop of Rocklin, CA granddaugther Mary of Sacramento, CA, sister Linda Harrison of Palestine, TX and two great-grandchildren Leroy of Rocklin, CA and Pheoebe of Sutter Creek CA and in addition leaves many loving nieces and nephews. Leroy was na honorable American, proud veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Even though he is welcome in heaven he will be sorely missed by all who loved him.