Michael Jay Bishop

Michael J. Bishop, age 72, passed away July 5, 2023, in Lutheran Hospice Center after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 30, 1951, in Anderson, Indiana. He grew up in Ogden, Utah, the son of Robert and Eilene Bishop. Mike joined the Marine Corp. February 9, 1969, instead of taking his Senior year. He mustered in San Diego, served in Vietnam and mustered out in North Carolina January 9, 1972. Mike met the love of his life, Ann Eberhart, in 1974 and they married August 30, 1975. Mike attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He found work in the Golden area at the School of Mines Research Institute doing Mine Reclamation mostly in Summit County. He was busy settling down in married life and he had a baby on the way. Mike and Ann moved to Golden, Applewood, to end his long, daily commute from Greeley. He called and told Ann he found “THE” house. He was looking at the house when a pair of ducks flew overhead and landed in the ditch and merrily swam away. He lived in that same house for 43 years. Carrie was born in 1980 and was his pride and joy. Mike eventually landed a job working at Coors, where he worked until he retired. Those years were filled with a growing child, softball, skiing, hunting with his buddies and fishing with anyone. All the children tell a similar story “the first fish I ever caught was with Uncle Mike and he made me clean it or let it go.” Carrie was a regular pro, she taught her friends how to clean fish. Mike and Ann played softball on many different teams wherever and whenever they could find a space. Some of these teams included the Tute, Lutheran Hospital, YMCA (The SOB's), Rocky Flats Hot Rocks, and of course the Bear Whizzers which was the Coors team. They played ball until they couldn't run anymore. When Ann hit the ball the team would shout “Run Ann!!” and Mike would yell “She is running.” They were a beer drinking team with a softball problem. After softball the Bear Whizzers continued as an investment club where they could still get together, laugh, eat, and enjoy each others company and growing families. Mike was able to travel. His favorite places to go were always beaches. He loved to be in the ocean and watch the beautiful fishes in a reef or darting in and out of the rocks. The last big trip Mike and Ann took together was a Trans-Atlantic cruise. Mike was finally able to see parts of Europe, one of his bucket list goals. His daughter Carrie married in 2003 and gave him two granddaughters, Adelynn and Amelia. Carrie passed away in 2014, he was devastated and forever changed. He discovered the game of Pickleball, introduced by his friends and was soon hooked. But alas, it was a short period of time before he was diagnosed with cancer and complications halted his very active lifestyle. He could still go on long walks with Ann and Copper and of course, he could still manage to take a trip to the casino to have a “free” buffet lunch. He enjoyed strolling around the neighborhood and just sitting outside watching and listening to the birds. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Carrie. He is survived by his wife Ann, his granddaughters Adelynn and Amelia and his mother in law, Barbara Eberhart with whom he was very close. He is also survived by his six siblings, Lee, Denny, David, Karen, Ricky and Brian, and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss Mike very much. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity, Mike's was St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.

Please join us for celebration of Mike's life from 5-8 p.m, July 28, 2023 at Arbor House @ Maple Grove Park, 14600, West 32nd Avenue, Golden, CO 80401. Please bring a pot luck dish to share, meat will be provided.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Bishop family.