W.L. "Jack" Bish was born on Feb. 5, 1916, in Mutual, Okla., to Arthur C. and Louise Bish. He passed away Sept. 16, 2012, at the Cherry Ridge Care Center in Emmett, Idaho.
He had four brothers and two sisters. His family was very close and a God loving family. When Jack was 3 years old, he went to stay with his Grandma while his mother recuperated from an illness. Grandma quickly renamed him Jack as she said he was much too little for such a big name as Woodrow Ludric, so for 93 years he was Jack Bish.
On Oct. 4, 1936, Jack married Thelma Buffington at the Nazarene Church in Marsing, Idaho. Their reception at the Dewey Palace was a gala affair.
Dad was so in love with Mom that he spoiled her and so admitted, just three years ago. He lived 15 months after her death and missed her daily.
Jack served in the CCC's in 1934 at Camp Upper Beaver. Dad had quite a few stories to tell from his experiences. He made lifelong friends wherever he went.
He worked as a manager for retail stores, owned grocery stores and was an excellent meat cutter. In construction, he was a carpenter and foreman for several companies. But the job he enjoyed most was the Slush Mush Drive-In he and Mom started together. Getting started, he would work as a carpenter, come home, change clothes, wash his hands and put a burger on the grill and then get his milkshake ready. The food they produced was top quality and had to pass Dad's taste test. He still to his last days compared the Slush Mush burgers to everything he ate. In one of his pasty moments, he tried to train the girls to cook burgers his way and how to take orders. Maybe he will be able to assist the chefs in Heaven.
Forty years ago, Mom and Dad purchased their little piece of Heaven called Bish's Getaway RV Park. That little park gave them years of peace and happiness. On Aug. 29, Cherry Ridge gave Dad one more wish, to go to the campground. Twenty-two people joined us for a picnic. It was an enjoyable time for all.
Dad's biggest goal was to be a minister. The opportunity never came to be, but he would have been great. Dad read the Bible completely through several times. He had some very nice Bibles but his favorite was a red Bible he purchased for $3 at a yard sale. That Bible went everywhere with him. It is only fitting that it will be with him on his next journey.
Jack was preceded in death by his loving wife, Thelma; his parents; siblings; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.
He is survived by his two daughters, Joyce Coulter and Betty (Roger) Lee; son, Jack Bish; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Our heartfelt thanks to Heart and Home Hospice and Cherry Ridge Care Center. Dad was truly happy at Cherry Ridge and told everybody so. They gave him back his dignity and his love of life. It was home to both of us and of course, his girls were very special to him.
Funeral Services will be held at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, at 11 a.m. A viewing will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will be in the Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
My deepest condolences to the Bish family. In these times of sorrow, may your family find joy and comfort in drawing close to God. James 4:8.
Nede Seyer
October 16, 2012
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