Thomas A. Bishop

Thomas A. Bishop, 66, a Lazy Mountain resident and business owner in Palmer, died suddenly on Oct. 1, 2013.

A Vigil prayer service will take place at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Palmer. The funeral mass and reception is at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 7, also at St. Michael.

Tom and his wife Kathy moved in 1972 to Alaska and established a business at the Palmer airport in 1976, Nugget Aviation. He also worked for Era Aviation and Reeves Aviation for a few years. A native of California, Tom served in the Navy as a jet and helicopter mechanic and got to travel all over the world.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy; his five children, Steven Bishop, Deanna and Rajvinder Singh, Karen and Erick Cordero, Mark Bishop and John and Brandy Bishop; eight loving grandchildren; siblings, Ken Bishop and Tim Bishop of Colorado and Barbara Mangione of California; and many nieces and nephews.

Tom is remembered by his family as an avid storyteller, a Hershey’s chocolate bar aficionado, but always a man of faith, a loving father and grandfather. Tom was always willing to volunteer to help a friend and others in need.

In lieu of flowers, friends can donate to Tom’s favorite charities, Covenant House and the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. There will be a giving tree at the church for donations in honor of Tom.