Jerry 'Harold' Bishop, 65

Jerry Lee Bishop passed away unexpectedly at his home on Feb. 29, 2024 in Havre, Montana.

Born on April 17, 1958 to Douglas and Annie Bishop in Kalispell he was always the curious and experimenting child, so it is in true Jerry style to leave this place on Leap Year Day.

Jerry loved to read and could tackle most projects regardless of how physically demanding they were. This could have been why after high school at the booming size of 5'10" and 150 lbs. he decided to participate in the rough sport of Rugby.

Raised in Evergreen with his six siblings and numerous childhood neighbors there were always games to play, friends to make and things to do that usually involved outside activities year-round. Be it swimming, fishing, sno-catting, hooky bobbing, or just plain exploring, Jerry was right there in the mix of things.

After high school, Jerry went to diesel school in Havre and worked for BN Railroad for many years. His love of learning and acquiring new skills then led him to a career change and off to Nursing School it was, where he became a registered nurse.

He worked for KRH in Kalispell and Libby specializing in kidney dialysis, then became a traveling nurse all around the U.S. But his love of Montana always called him home.

His love of reading and building carried on throughout his years even after becoming a nurse. 

He built by hand, with no machinery, a cabin on an island at Echo Lake that he resided at for many years. This was a task that took years and years to accomplish, but Jerry did it from start to finish. Hauling everything over by barge or on his custom built dock that supported the much used diving board and slide, or dragging what materials he could across the ice in winter.

This also included driving well casing by hand for his drinking water and hand digging and hauling in drain rock by 5 gallon buckets to have a legal septic system.

He loved having friends along with his nieces and nephews to come out to this place in the summer and loved to watch them do cannon balls off of the diving board or pulling out a pole to help them catch a fish and share in what he had built.

He loved cats and his companion Duder of 19 years was with him up to the end.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Marty, his parents Doug Bishop and Annie Norheim.

He is survived by brothers Kenny in Fairbanks, Alaska, Ross (Rene'), sisters Sheila (John) Stillian in Spokane, Lorene and Tana (Bruce) Corpron.

Along with numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

His storytelling and humor will be greatly missed.

Fly like an Eagle, Harold. Pain Free, Worry Free!

At his request, there will not be a funeral, but there be a celebration of his life on April 20 from 2-4 p.m., at the residence of Ross and Rene' for all to share.