SSgt Brent Bishop

Brently Lee Bishop, age 37, passed away on September 23rd, 2016 at his home in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina near the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base. He was born on March 2nd, 1979 in Kodiak, Alaska to his parents Michael and Diane Bishop. Brent grew up in Kodiak until the age of 5 1/2 when his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the fall of 1984. He attended kindergarten and first grade in Albuquerque. In the summer of 1986, he moved with his family to Grand Junction, Colorado where he completed second through fifth grade. While living in Grand Junction, he played little league baseball, soccer, basketball, and was a cub scout. In the summer of 1990, Brent moved with his family to Littleton, Colorado. He completed sixth grade at Governor's Ranch Elementary and it was during this time that he developed an interest in martial arts. He began studying Taekwondo in 6th grade and continued this sport all through high school eventually earning a first degree black belt. Brent attended seventh and eighth grade at Ken Caryl Middle School and it was during middle school when he began his early morning paper route delivering the Rocky Mountain News at 4 am every morning for five years. Brent attended high school at Columbine High where he graduated in 1997. During his teen years, he worked at Safeway as a stocker, bagger, and eventually as a customer service agent. Brent was quite active in high school. He was on the varsity wrestling team all four years and he ran varsity cross country his junior and senior years. During high school, he developed an interest and love for movies and film and exercised this interest as the daily school news anchorman which was video televised to all classrooms each day. Brent was a good student and received many academic awards for excellence in English and History. His senior year, he traveled to England and Scotland with his AP English class. In the fall of 1997, Brent enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder where he pursued Film Studies. He completed five semesters at CU. Having spent a majority of his life in Colorado, Brent sought a new adventure and moved to Portland, Oregon in 2000 where he worked various odd jobs in search of his life's purpose. Shortly after September 11th, 2001 he felt he was being called into the military and in 2002 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Private First Class Bishop reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on 21 January 2003. Upon Graduation from boot camp, he reported to the Marine Corps Communication - Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA in August of 2003 for Field Wireman training as an 0612. Upon completion of school, he was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. While attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, he served as a tactical switching operator, field radio operator and field wireman for the unit. During this time, he deployed from March 2007 to October 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In January 2008, Sgt Bishop reported to Drill Instructor School in San Diego, CA. Following graduating, and earning the additional MOS of 0911, Sgt Bishop became a Drill Instructor for 1st Battalion, Charlie Company. While at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, SSgt Bishop performed the duties of Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with Charlie Company. In January 2011, SSgt Bishop again reported to the Marine Corps Communication - Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA for Telecommunications Systems Chief Course where he obtained the MOS of 0619. SSgt Bishop's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2d award). SSgt Bishop was also selected as an alternate candidate to the Commandant's Career Level Education Board (CCLEB) Fiscal Year 2015. In March 2011, SSgt Bishop reported to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, CA for service as a Telecommunications Systems Chief. During this time, he deployed to Afghanistan with 5th Marine Regiment from August 2011 to July 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2013, SSgt Bishop completed the SNCO Academy Career Course before executing his next permanent change of station orders. In June of 2013, Staff Sergeant Bishop reported for duty with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler in Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa, he worked as a Telecommunications Systems Chief and Surveyor. In July 2015, SSgt Bishop reported to the east coast to serve as the Telecommunications Systems Chief and Wire Chief for 8th Communication Battalion, Bravo Company in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. SSgt Bishop's personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Brent was a proud and dedicated U.S. Marine who was loved and respected by his follow comrades. He made friends wherever he went and he was both liked and loved by all who knew him. He had an adventurous side and loved the outdoors especially camping, scuba diving, fishing, and sky diving. He also loved running and had completed the Marine Corps Marathon twice. On a more personal note, he especially loved his family both immediate and extended. If his cousins, aunts, uncles, or nieces were near, he always made a point to spend time with them when he could. Although he was always a little guy, he was large in spirit and personality and would never back down from anyone. He loved being a Marine and especially loved being a Drill Instructor. SSgt Bishop is survived by his mother and father, Diane and Michael Bishop; his sister Becky McDermott, brother-in-law Scot McDermott, and nieces Sydney and Lyndsay McDermott as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Brently impacted the lives of so many people. His amazing smile, generosity, and compassion will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, Colorado. Please share memories of Brently and condolences with the family by signing the guestbook below.