Travis John Bishop

Travis John Bishop

BILLINGS - My Dad, Travis John Bishop, had one heck of a life. He was born on October 3, 1978. He was born and raised in Billings, MT by his proud parents, Sally and John Bishop.

Travis was a fighter from the very beginning of his life. He had open heart surgery when he was two years old. He had a rare heart disease called Tricuspid Atresia.

My Dad attended Highland Elementary, Lewis and Clark Middle School, and then graduated from Billings Senior High in 1997. (Go Broncs).

Throughout his childhood, my Dad had some good, bad, and crazy memories with his best friends. Mom always said that if she met Dad in high school, they would not be married because of some of those crazy stories.

Dad loved soccer. He was a part of the first Senior High Soccer Team in 1995 and continued playing club soccer for Billings Magic City Soccer Club, where they won the State Championship when he was 18 years old. Not only did he love soccer, he loved playing the drums. Everyone thought he would have been in a band when he got older. He received a scholarship from Rocky Mountain College for the drums and majored in Elementary Education.

After two years at Rocky, he transferred over to MSUB then graduated in 2003. Dad always said he was on the six year college plan.

After his college life, Dad began working for the City of Billings. He started as a seasonal worker, painting fire hydrants. He moved up the ranks and worked at the Water Department for 14 years and finished his career at the Engineering Department. Dad also had some pretty interesting stories while he worked for the city for 20 years. (Stories that shouldn't be retold).

After graduating from college, Dad had a special routine he and his buddies would do on most weekends. Part of that special plan was to go flirt with my Mom, Becky Jones. One night at The Circle Inn, he decided to go sing karaoke, and that's when he actually got my Mom's attention for the first time. He sang his go to karaoke song, Ice Ice Baby. Not sure if that is considered love at first sight. My Mom and Dad were married in December 2006.

Two years later my Dad was blessed with me, Emilee Jean. I was the light of my Dad's eyes. The stories my Dad told of me, I knew he loved me. In 2011 my Dad was excited to find out he was going to be a "Boy Dad". Brodie John joined our family in October.

Our Dad taught us many things along the way. From swim lessons, to riding a bike and most of all, our enjoyment of playing soccer. Dad was the best coach from our kindergarten years to just a few weeks ago. Dad always enjoyed coaching my Brother and I in the Big Sky State Games for many years. The friendships my Dad made with our friends were very special to him. He always looked forward to coaching us every year.

Even though Dad was an only child, he grew up with many friends that have become more like brothers over the years. Many of those stories that they all told were pretty funny and stupid at the same time. I know Dad really valued their friendships and love.

In May 2023, we got the news that Dad was diagnosed with liver cancer. In those eight short months, Dad showed us what it was like to fight and never give up, even when the cancer had spread to his lungs. Dad continued to attend Brodie's and my sporting events even if it meant going out of town.

On December 22, 2023 our Dad fought till the end. My Mom, Brodie, Grandparents, and Myself have the best guardian angel looking upon us. His funny, witty, kind, loving and sometimes stubborn personality will never be forgotten.

Dad was preceded in death by his grandparents, Al and Caroline Bishop and Dan and Dorothy Hagerman.

Dad, we will always love you!

Emilee, Brodie, Mom, Grandma (Sally) and Grandpa (John)

#battlewithbish

In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Travis's passion for soccer, the family asks that any donations be made to Real Billings FC, in a scholarship fund in Travis's name. This will allow local kids to continue to love the game of soccer.

Real Billings, FC, PO Box 3371, Billings, MT, 59103.