Obituary of Archie Dwain Bishop

Archie Dwain Bishop, 96, passed away at Jack C. Montgomery Medical Center in Muskogee on December 9, 2021. He was born in Jennings, Oklahoma on February 21, 1925 to Henry and Maggie Bishop. He was one of 10 children. Archie grew up on a farm in Creek County. For many years you could see the crumbling house from the Turner Turnpike. He attended elementary school in Shamrock, OK and High School in Chandler, OK. He was one of those kids that literally walked five miles to school. He told how he cut through pastures and woods to go to school. His dad left when he was ten years old and told how he was the “man of the house” helping his mother and four sisters that were still living at home. He grew up on the farm where he had to milk the cows before school and helped in the fields when he came home from school. He adored his mother. He grew up with meager means and told how he took a biscuit to school for lunch. One winter, he stayed home from school not being able to buy new shoes to walk the miles to school. He developed his lifelong love of baseball while playing on the high school team. While in high school, a local auto dealership owner taught him about auto parts and how to repair autos. He had a natural mechanical talent. In lieu of college, Archie joined the Army Air Corps after high school to participate in WWII. He served as a Tech Sergeant. Archie seldom talked about his experience in WWII. He did tell how he enjoyed the men under his leadership. He told of many pranks he played on some. He flew 38 bombing missions in Italy. On his final bombing mission, the pilot and co-pilot were killed by shrapnel. Archie also was hit by shrapnel to his head. He was able to pull the pilot from his seat and fly the bomber and crew back to base. Archie received the following medals during his service; Purple Heart, Air Medal, EAME ribbon with five bronze stars, and Good Conduct Medal He married Lois Odell Eppler May 23, 1949 in Ardmore, OK. After being discharged from the Air Corps Archie played briefly for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. He had a lifelong love of baseball. At that time, each player had to pay for their own uniforms and much of their own expenses. He decided he was not going to make much money in this sport. As many Okies, he worked in the oil field. After marriage, he and Lois operated a Texaco Service Station in Duncan, OK for several years. They then moved to Drumright where they opened their first auto parts store. He developed a successful business with stores in Sapulpa, Tulsa, Stillwater, Drumright, Yale, Stroud, Wilburton, and Heavener. He was proud of his company’s mission to ensure that people were able to quickly repair their auto to get to work, enable them to raise their busy families, and enjoy their travels. He and Lois loved to travel. They enjoyed many travels all over the world in all continents. He enjoyed travelling with his family as their sons were growing up. They took vacation auto trips where they visited all states in the contiguous United States. They frequently camped out and went fishing as a family. He participated with his sons in the Boy Scouts as a volunteer and helped his sons get their badges. He was a great father. He was always ready to throw a baseball and play catch. Archie was a board member of the First United Methodist Church in both Sapulpa, and Drumright. Archie was a great storyteller. He was always ready with a great story from his life, current or past. He had an infectious smile and a philosophy that life was to include hard work, but also to be enjoyed. Archie is survived by his children Dennis Gene Bishop (Kathryn), daughter-in-law Jeanne Fields of Yukon,grandchildren Elizabeth Anne Bishop of Tuttle, Christina Joanna Jackson (Glen) of Tulsa, Andrew Dwain Bishop of Norman, great-grandchildren Leo Fields of Yukon, Alex Gene Jackson, and Ryan Mitchell Jackson of Tulsa. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephew, cousins and extended family and friends. Archie was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Maggie Bishop, his wife Lois Bishop, son Larry Dwain Bishop, siblings Addie Lee Bishop, Alva Olive Gemmell, Henry Austin Bishop, Clarence Bishop, Willard Olen Bishop, Helen Bishop, Betty Lou Carroll, Lola Beatrice Brewer, and Fern Maxine Raney. Services will be Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 2:00 pm, Green Hill Funeral Home with Dr. Allen Schneider officiating. Interment in Green Hill Memorial Gardens. Donations in Archie’s name can be made to the MDA. Thank you to the Home Care Team that took care of him and Lois for nearly ten years. You were such a blessing.