John T. Bish passed away at The Kendall House Rehabilitation Hospital in Boerne, Texas, on May 1, 2024. John T. was born on Oct. 20, 1930, in Woodward, Oklahoma. He was the oldest of three children of John and Lyndell Briix .

Following the onset of World War II the family moved to Enid, Oklahoma. After graduating from Enid High School, John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 4, 1950. He and several other enlistees from Oklahoma arrived at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, for basic training. After taking aptitude tests and receiving the clothing allowance, 35 busloads of trainees were sent to the recently opened Shepherd AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas.

At Shepherd, John was assigned to attend aircraft engine school. He completed that training and was chosen to be an instructor in the A and E school. He spent the remainder of his enlistment at Shepherd working in several capacities.

During the last years stationed at Shepherd in Wichita Falls, he purchased two light aircraft, underwent civilian flight training and earned his private pilot’s license. At the end of his enlistment, John moved to Wichita, Kansas, to enroll in the University of Wichita, now Wichita State University.

John earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and subsequently a master’s degree. After earning these degrees, he was given the opportunity to become a member of the biological sciences faculty and retired after 30 years.

While in Wichita, Kansas, he met and married Irene Varner on Sept. 18, 1955. Their son John David was born on Sept. 8, 1957. After retirement, John and Irene moved to Boerne, Texas, where he volunteered for Kendall County for many years.

John was proceeded in death by his parents and survived by his wife of 68 years, Irene; his son, John David (Yvonne) of New Braunfels, Texas; his grandson, Steven of Houston, Texas; a brother, Bob of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a sister Phyllis Wolverton of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and two nieces.

John was a quiet and honest man, a faithful husband, father and grandfather, and loyal friend to many.

John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boerne, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. May 18, 2024, in the Overlook Great Room at Morningside Menger Springs in Boerne.

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