J.R. Bishop Obituary

JR was the athletic director at Lawrence Central when I was just a beginning coach of girls' varsity track. He was so helpful and patient. I am sure these attributes will live on in his children and grandchildren. So sorry for your loss.

what a great coach and leader. Coach Bishop taught so much about football, passing game, etc, but more so he lead us in a supportive manner. Never screamed. He had that southern drawl accent and ill never forget him. The forst game Sr year vs West Aurora game there was amazing. RIP Coach!

Best coach I ever had. Great Christian and a great man. Learned many life lessons from coach. First coach I had to lead a prayer before the game. Rest is peace coach. Prayers to the Bishop family.

I knew JR through his lovely wife, my friend and colleague Janet. He was the consummate gentleman and a true man of God. I admired his coaching skills and quiet, determined spirit. Janet, JR's biggest supporter, please know how much I miss you. I would LOVE to reconnect. I am on Facebook, or you can contact me by email. Love and prayers as you walk your dear husband the rest of his way Home.

I played football under coach Bishop at Naperville Central H. S. He was always fair and generous with us. His Christian faith was also evident in various ways.

I had the privilege of playing for J.R. at Lawrence Central in 1975 and 1976, where he distinguished himself as a highly-principled, stand-up guy & excellent coach/athletic director. Coach Bishop impacted so many of us in positive, lasting ways; I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.

Prayers for his family.
July 4, 2022

I am deeply saddened to see this news and equally saddened to have missed J.R.'s Services. I just heard the news.

Never has the coaching Profession seen a more First Class Individual than Coach Bishop. I am better for having known him. My sympathies are with his entire family.

Thinking of you all. The 1970’s don’t seem that long ago! I’m grateful for having J.R. in my life and a part of Wallace family tales told occasionally. His laugh and storytelling abilities bring a smile as I write and I hope will do the same for you. And his generosity by paying attention and caring about making others better is something I always remember about him..and that he ran a West Coast offense (with a flare) before it had a name. God bless.

I had the pleasure of coaching with JR when we both came to Naperville Central in 1979. In three years there he turned around the NCHS football program into a perennial
powerhouse for years to come. He built a loyal knowledgeable staff which translated into committed and dedicated players as we all enjoyed his wide open offense. He was a great leader, an innovative coach and an exemplary man. Beat years I had coaching high school football were with Coach Bishop.

I am so glad that I have known JR and also Janet. They were such a important part of our life when they were up here in Indianapolis. I love and thoughts are with you

I played football for J.R. at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis. My father Dwaine and my Uncle Ron were assistant coaches for him which provided me with behind the scenes views of the man that most players didn't get to see. J.R. was a class act in public and in private. He walked what he talked. He had humor and wit as well as intelligence and compassion. I'm grateful to have played for him.

Coach Bishop was a huge influence in my life as I am sure he was in so many lives. I am honored to have been on one of his teams. LC 77. I was also fortunate enough to have both of my sons attend his camps. RIP coach. Gary Vandegriff.

My prayers for the family of JR.
Where can one begin to describe the man that was Coach, teacher, mentor, leader, to so many, many people over the years.
JR touched so many lives in many ways, I am so blessed to have known him.
Thank you Janet, Cheryl, and Keith for sharing your Husband, Dad with all of us!
He will be missed!
Jay T Weaver
Lawrence Central Football Team 1975

Coach J.R. Bishop was absolutely one of the finest men I have ever known. He was the head coach at Franklin Community High School and was already a local legend by the time I was a Junior. My father passed away 4 years prior to that and I quietly looked at Coach Bishop as a father figure. He naturally drew people to him. He was a true "leader of men" on the field and off; spiritually too.--- Years later I got to know him more as an adult as I did some simple legal work for an Indiana business in which he had an interest; and my respect for him only grew. . --- I am sure every guy that played for him would run through the proverbial brick wall for him without hesitation. The Robin to his Batman was Walt Curran, who retired from coaching football when J.R. went to Lawrence Central (where he instantly turned around that program ). Walt died many years ago and he was a great example for many of us------ J.R. was an integral part of growing up for me and for so many others. He was loved in Franklin and I am sure everywhere he's been. Heaven is better place with him in it and I hope to see him again someday. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES to his family at this difficult time.

Very sorry to hear of his passing. He was my football coach and teacher at Lawrence Central from 69 to72. He was one of the nicest people I ever knew.

Coach, thank you for showing us athletes how to become men. Your turn to take a “foot-n-knee” Rest In Peace
Lawrence Central Class 1972
Rick Martinez

JR's impact (and Janet's) on our lives was significant! Thank you for that friendship and collegiality. Our condolences to the entire family.
Sincerely,
Alan and Laurel Howard

My name is Martha Cutsinger Stoelting and I grew up in Franklin. Indiana. Although he was a teacher and coach when I attended Franklin Community High School, my favorite memories of J.R., as we called him then, are from earlier when he and you Janet, were students at Franklin College. I was in sixth grade at South Side School. A bunch of us girls ate lunch week days at the Franklin College Student Center located in an old barracks building. There was no cafeteria and it was too far for some of us to walk home for lunch and back in the allotted hour. J.R. and a group of his fraternity brothers ate lunch with us daily. They were all so kind and polite and made 11 and 12 year old girls feel very special and grown up that school year. The memory has stayed with me all these years. I am now 75. My deepest condolences to your family. He was a wonderful guy!

Hi Janet,
We are so very sorry. In yesterday's paper I read of JR's passing. I waited until this morning to tell George, because I knew it would be hard for him. JR was a good friend to George and they had many good times at Franklin. Please know you and your family are in our prayers. We do care. Our thoughts and love.

Our deepest sympathy and encouragement in the Lord in the loss of Coach Bishop. He was always friendly, kind, engaging and the essence of class.
Sincerely,
Kerry and Carol Pfund

Whenever anyone in Franklin, IN said "J.R." it always brought a smile b/c of his "gift of gab" humor. He was unique, a "one of a kind" person. There is no mold for J,R. Janet always had to be flexible with everything he said & did. He was a fraternity brother; FC classmate to the 2 of us; on FCHS staff together; our children were the same ages; and eventually we even lived in the SAME neighborhood. We send our deepest sympathies to you in the loss of your loving husband & dad. A role model for MANY many people.

In Franklin ,IN if you said "J.R." it always brought a smile b/c of all the laughter he brought to you with his "gift of gab" humor. He didn't fit any mold! Janet always had to be flexible with what all he said & did .There'll always be only one "J.R." personna. He was a fraternity brother; classmate to the 2 of us; on FCHS staff together; our children were the same ages & eventually the 4 of us even lived in the SAME neighborhood,

AW BUGS!! Coach you meant more to me than you ever knew! I thank you for the opportunities to attend the FCA national conventions twice. You were one of the most positive influences in my life and I’ve always believed you kept me out of trouble in high school and way beyond! I know I frustrated you sometimes but I always knew you cared. Rest In Peace ❤

God Bless Coach Bishop and his family.
As a young and aspiring football coach, Coach Bishop was a leader that we all , as coaches tried to emulate.

He was a true difference maker in the lives of so many, an inspiration.

God’s grace

It was an honor to be mentored and coached by such a man. He remained positive even when we didn't give him reason to act as such. He showed us that athletics could provide a path to our adult lives. Please accept my deepest sympathies at his passing. Lawrence Central Class of 1974

So sorry for your loss. Coach Bishop was a tremendous influence on my life and many of us who played for him at FCHS. Many fond memories of him. May God be with you at this sad time. Knowing that we will see him again someday.

Mr. Bishop was a great teacher & coach. He exuded success and did his best to instill this into his Students and Players. There are only a few people in this world I have looked up to who inspired me as a student and whose words I remember and hold in memory. I’m proud to say JR Bishop was one of those people.
May he Rest In Peace & Rise in Glory.

It was an honor to know Coach Bishop - and to play on his first Wheaton team. He was obviously a great football coach, but he was an even greater man. He affected so many lives and was a great combination of a fierce competitor and gentle encourager. The world needs more people like him and he will definitely be missed.

A Great Football Coach, And a credit to the game of football.

I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the entire Bishop family. I will always remember and cherish the many great times coaching with JR. Peace and love, Coach Doug and family

I always loved listening to my Dad and JR talk sports! I still remember vacations going to visit JR, Janet, Cheryl and Keith. When Dad would talk about “Cuz” we all knew he was talking about JR. I’m sure that reunion in Heaven is all about sports talk. Sending my deepest sympathies to Janet, Cheryl and Keith and family

I attended Lawrence Central High School from 1974 thru 1976. My Dad was also a teacher at L.C. when Coach Bishop was the football head coach. Although I was not an athlete...most of my buddies were and I never missed a game. And we were good - really good. And I believe it was due in large part to J.R. Bishop. He was fair, he was loved and he was respected!!!!! My son went on to play football and attended the Bishop Dullaghan football camps. At his first registration.......coach Bishop recognized my sons last name and asked if he had a grandfather that taught at Lawrence. When my son answered yes.....coach Bishop took him to the side and stuck up a conversation about my dad, Ken Shoup. Coach Bishop recognized me and the 3 of us continued a really neat visit. The coach remembered my name and certainly my Dad and related all of those L.C memories to my son....his newest biggest fan. Coach Bishop remembered my son each season thereafter. I think my son attended 3 camps all together. As I said I was no athlete.....but the coach remembered my name after 30 or so years after I graduated. A very impressive feat for a fan in the stand and not one of his players He was a fantastic guy and inspired more than he could imagine. I would guess the best way for me to tell someone about J.R. Bishop is.........he took a big high school in Indianapolis and turned it into a small family. That doesn't happen much anymore, but I; and I can bet, he wishes it was still that way. My son and I talked last night about his camps and specifically how great it was for us both to have Coach Bishop in common. Thanks for the wonderful memories and for making High School some of the best years I have shared.

Sincerely, Ron Shoup (Lawrence Central class of 1976)

Few people have had a greater impact on my life than J.R. Bishop. He coached me, he taught my favorite college course--Coaching Football--and he demonstrated daily what Christian character and Christ-honoring competitiveness look like. I have used what I observed, experienced, and was directly taught by him throughout my professional life, and his impact on my career (and so many others) will keep his legacy alive for generations to come.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.