Max Clayton Bishop

Max Clayton Bishop was born Jan. 30, 1960, in St. George, Utah, to Gordon Taylor Bishop and Anna Kathryn Reynolds Bishop. Max was 65 years old and passed away in Heber, Utah. He joined the family having 6 brothers and 6 sisters. One more brother and one more sister came later bring the family to 15 children. He was named after his dad’s two brothers: Max Mahonri and David Clayton Bishop. Max grew up in Logandale, NV and Hinckley, Utah. He played on Hinckley’s Little League and Pony League baseball teams. He also played for the Delta High Rabbits as the pitcher. It was reported that he had a 90 mile-an-hour fast ball and a wicked curve ball. He loved playing for Hinckley. One of his favorite things was to show up for the games with his teammates—often riding to the game in the Manis Mobile. He played JV football as well. Max was a talented athlete who had a funny wobble to his run, which he was known for. Funny wobble aside, he was fast!

Max was a bit of an adrenaline junky who often did things that maybe he shouldn’t have. Like teaching his little brother how to start a fire and not light himself up at the same time. Max spent three weeks in the hospital with burns on his legs and feet. He asked his sister, Melanie, to stay with him. They would often get in a bit of trouble for joy riding with the wheelchair in the hospital halls. He also had a very unique scar on his face; a round circle that was caused by tripping and slicing the end of his nose off by a knife that was on the floor (we don’t know why there was a knife on the floor). Mom picked up the tiny round piece of nose and taped it in place. It successfully reattached, but Max had a perfectly round scar on the end of his nose for the rest of his life. It was an excellent elevator button to push when playing elevator. He also broke his wrist when riding his brother, John’s, Kawasaki 400 dirt bike. A ditch unexpectedly appeared in his path with not enough momentum to jump it. Instead, he face-planted on the other side with a broken wrist.

Max married Margaret Della Jackson on Feb. 9, 1980. They had three beautiful girls together who gave them 13 grandchildren. Their time together ended, but Max’s family grew when he married Patty Jean Gamble Sept. 28, 2013, in Lake Havasu, AZ. She made Max a part of her family of three children and two grandkids. Max said that it was a matter of finding that person who was willing to put up with his brand of weird. He found that in Patty who encouraged him to dream and to travel.

Max loved to fish. Well, really, he loved to drive the boat. He called himself a fisherman, but Patty said he was a boat driver at heart. He loved cars, NASCAR, The Jazz, 49er’s and baseball. He also loved BYU. Patty is a U of U fan. They figured it out though. They would sit side by side during games, each wearing their team’s jerseys. There surely was a bit of trash talking going on as well.

It was reported by his daughters and wife that he would watch his favorite movies repeatedly. Seabiscuit, Secretariat, The Man From Snowy River (is there a theme here?) and Forest Gump were aired often in his home.

Max worked for AJ Mackay and Mackay Kim demolition companies as a young husband and father. He was an excellent heavy equipment operator. He often worked with his brothers, Paul and Alma, tearing down buildings and other fun things. He also worked for Arizona & Nevada Tower for 12 years installing cell towers. Max’s last job was with Gillett Construction, where he had planned to retire at the end of August.

Max is survived by his wife, Patty, his children; Billie Jo (Mario) Maldonado, Brandie (Daniel) Frias and Amanda Bishop, Carmen Harris (Kelly Peterson), Travis Harris and Nicholas Harris. His beloved grand kids are: Julius Max, Mia Ann, Reese, Mia, Jennifer, Aphrodite, Serenity, Brodie, Asher, Margot, Michael, Devin, Honey, Xavier, Patch. Siblings: Eccles (Davone) Bishop, Dale (Susan) Bishop, Mary Ellis (Garry) Montierth, Marsha (Dennis) Loveridge, Paul (Gloria) Bishop, Melanie (Sidney) Vestal, Colleen (Dennis) Polanshek, Linda (Brad) Green and Cindy Bishop.

He is greeted on the other side by his parents, siblings Barbara (Kent) Gaufin, Darnall, Don (Rosemary) Bishop, John (Dee) Bishop and Alma (Wanda) Bishop.

Max had a wonderful way about him that drew people to him. He is loved and will be missed beyond belief by his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, coworkers and many friends. He leaves a legacy of laughs, goofiness and love.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Delta West Stake Center in Hinkley, Utah. The viewings will be held Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and prior to the funeral from 1:00 to 1:45 PM both in the Delta West Stake Center.  Interment and graveside services will be at the Hinkley Cemetery under the care of Olpin Stevens Funeral Home.    Luncheon to follow at the Delta West Stake Center.  Online condolences and the funeral live stream are available at www.olpinstevensfuneralhome.com.