Mark Clay Bishop
Mark Clay Bishop, 66, resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and recently Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, died the evening of July 31, 2022, in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines.
Mark was born March 1, 1956, in San Antonio to Olive Elaine Strickland of Hamilton and Milton Clay Bishop of Crystal Springs, Missouri. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1974.
He married his childhood friend and love, Melanie Sue Dill (Bishop) of Hamilton in 1976.
Mark later completed two degrees at Texas State Technical Institute in Electronics Technology and Laser Technology in Waco. He was hired by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque in 1979, where he had a 30-year career traveling the world, supporting many programs in national security.
In 1982, Mark and Melanie welcomed their daughter, Megan Nicole Bishop (Goodman) of Albuquerque.
Through the following years, Mark traveled to work in Washington, DC, Russia, Africa, United Arab Emirates, and he spent the last 12 years working in Saudi Arabia for the Ministry of the Interior. He retired in December 2021 with plans to reside in Bohol, Philippines, but those plans were cut short by his sudden death. Mark Bishop provided three decades of distinguished service to national security at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. Over the Sandia National Lab years, Mark’s professionalism, knowledge and mentoring attitude earned him the respect and admiration of his many colleagues. Mark truly had an amazing career as a technologist, senior staff and manager supporting many successful technical projects, as well as unselfishly acknowledging his colleagues during his illustrious career path. Mark is now flying with the stars, probably reviewing the inner workings of every planet, constellation and galaxy. Mark could tell you anything you ever wanted to know about space and most anything about science.
A talented guitar player, Mark loved sharing his love for guitars and music with everyone. He owned many guitars and never hesitated to share his passion by gifting a guitar to all who crossed his path who showed interest in music. Mark could remember every movie he had ever watched, who the actors, directors and producers were in each and what year each movie came out. He could tell you anything about history, dates and why those events happened. Mark was a walking book of knowledge, and many people will forever miss being able to glean information from his neverending knowledge and life experiences.
It is apparent that he meant so much to so many and made a huge impact on the lives of many people he encountered along the way. He prided himself on serving his country in all capacities, whether he was near or far. He was a dedicated father, companion, brother, family member, friend, colleague and employer.
Mark is survived by his daughter Megan (Bishop) Goodman and son-in-law, Thomas Goodman; grandchildren Hayden Goodman, Ryatt Goodman and Lockian Goodman; brother Steve Bishop; sisters Shannon Fields, Leah Fields and Susan Fields; sister-in-law Mary Alice Clark; niece Vespa Tyson and husband Jeremy Tyson; uncle CW Strickland and aunt Kay Strickland; cousins Stan Strickland and Melissa (Strickland) Schaffer, Pat Blackwell Windham and husband Jerry Windham, James Blackwell and wife Rita Blackwell; and many, many family and friends across the United States and around the world.
Please join us for Mark’s memorial service Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 600 N Rice St, Hamilton. Burial will follow in Old Hamilton Cemetery. Lunch with family and friends after burial at First Presbyterian Church.
