C. Gordon Bishop Sr.

C. Gordon Bishop Sr., 98, of Oceanside, Calif. peacefully made his transition with all his children at his bedside on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif.

He was born April 10, 1912, to Bertha Mae and Charles Roland Bishop in Leshara. He graduated from a one-room school in that small farming community. He went on to attend Kemper Military Academy and University of Nebraska. In 1937, he loaded his pregnant wife, Maxine, into a 1932 Chevrolet and headed for California. He worked at Fruehauf Trailer and Carrier Corp. in production control. He was also a grocery clerk for many years at Budget Town Market in Monrovia, Calif. Upon retirement, he moved to Oceanside where he became a life member of the Elks Club.

He is survived by his brother, Boyd; children, Gordon Jr. and wife, Karen, Mick and wife, Rosalie, Jeanie and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Chuck, Lesli, Kelly, Kevin, Catherine, Abby, Emily, Amanda and David; and great-grandchildren, Jamie, Michael, Brianna, Marty, Christian, Madison, Jonathon, Grace, Charlotte and Jacob.

A celebration of his 98 years will be held at 3 p.m.

Feb. 20 at the San Diego Center for Spiritual Living located on the corner of 10th and G in downtown San Diego. Memorial donations may be made to the Oceanside Elks Club, 444 Country Club Drive, Oceanside, CA 92054 to support the "Hugs from Home" military support project.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff of Feather Ranch and Odyssey Hospice for the wonderful care Gordon received.

Humphrey Mortuary in Chula Vista, Calif., is in charge of arrangements.