March 29, 2011 "In the crosshairs"
March 29, 2011
Acclaimed Hunting Advocate Dr. Eugene Bishop Passes Away
Dr. Eugene M. Bishop, 76 of Dawsonville, Georgia passed away March 23, 2011 at Northside Hospital Forsyth, Cumming, Georgia.
Bestowed an honorary doctorate degree by Georgia Southern University, Dr. Bishop was knighted and inducted into the Saint Hubertus Society, and was a founding member of the Greater Atlanta SCI Chapter and Life member of SCI.
“As most accomplished hunters, Gene loved exposing others to hunting,” said longtime hunting companion Paul Babaz, SCI Treasurer. “He enjoyed bringing out people who haven't hunted before. He was an accomplished hunter, a true conservationist and one of the greatest men I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I am proud to be able to have called him my friend!”
“He was an active hunter his entire life and hunted throughout the world,” Babaz noted. “He maintained homes in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa since the ‘80s. Hunting in Africa being his favorite destination, he of course took the Big 5 and many of the individual Big 5 on multiple occasions. In addition to being very active in SCI and attending all the SCI conventions, he served on the board of Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Quail Unlimited, and was a board member of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.”
"I will miss Gene as a friend and hunting companion,” said Bruce Eavenson, SCI Corporate Secretary and Convention Chairman.“My son Blake and I will certainly miss the great times we spent together at Gene's Southern Woods Plantation."
Dr. Bishop was born in Atlanta, Georgia and educated in the Atlanta public school systems. He entered the United States Army in 1953, served two years active duty, and received an Honorable Discharge.
Dr. Bishop was the retired owner and President of Health Service Centers, Inc., a multi-facility corporation that owned long-term healthcare facilities, acute care hospitals, and pharmacies. The company began in 1970 and enjoyed continuous growth until his retirement. Dr. Bishop is also the owner of Southern Woods Plantation, a quail hunting operation located in Sylvester, Ga.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Gussie Bishop and brother, Guy Bishop.
He is survived by his children, Gray and Nikki Bishop of Carrollton, Georgia; Traci and Jay Stillman of Roswell, Georgia; grandchildren, Griffyn and Gavin Bishop; niece, Kathleen Guy; nephew, Gary Bishop; great niece, Abigail Guy, great nephews, Garrett Guy and Levi Bishop; special friend and extended family, Nancy Addison, Drew and Shanna Addison, Trip Addison, and Lindsay Addison.