George Patterson (Pat) Bishop Jr.

George Patterson (Pat) Bishop Jr, 91, of Flat Rock, NC passed away on October 4, 2023.

He was born in Montezuma, Georgia to George Patterson Bishop and Dovie Brown Bishop.

He graduated from Montezuma High School, and received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Auburn University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Pat was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain after serving at Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Pat began his business career as a bookkeeper with an insurance company in Americus, Georgia, as an accountant for the Ralston Purina Company, and later as a senior accountant with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co (now KPMG) where he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida and earned his Certified Public Accountant designation. He later served as Assistant Treasurer of Lewis Business Forms, Inc (now Duplex Products), and American Heritage Life Investment Corporation where he advanced to become a Vice President. Pat then joined Davis Diversified Investments as Corporate Secretary before retiring in 1997.

Pat met and married his wife Irene K. Bishop in Jacksonville, together raising two sons Robert Bishop and Jim Bishop. He was an active and committed member of the parish of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, serving on the Vestry, as the Treasurer and in other church ministries. He volunteered in the community with Habitat for Humanity, and served as a treasurer of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Jacksonville.

Upon retirement Pat and his wife relocated to Flat Rock, NC where they became involved with the parish of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church and later Calvary Episcopal Church where Pat served as Treasurer, and continued to volunteer with the Habitat ReStore, the Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry and other local organizations. After years of traveling with their sons across the US and Canada, Pat and Irene extended their travels to Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.

Pat is survived by his wife, Irene K Bishop; sons Robert Bishop and Jim Bishop; grandchildren James Bishop and Sophia Bishop, sister Barbara Owen; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church, 2840 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, NC on October 28th, 2023 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of George Bishop to the Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Inc, P.O. Box 187, Fletcher NC 28732, online at www.calvaryfletcher.org/donate-1.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.