Paul R. Bishop left this world June 20, 2025. He was born Dec. 18, 1939, to Doris M. and Dallas M. (Bud) Bishop in Joplin, MO. His family moved to Joplin, MO from Mt. Vernon, MO when he was 14 years old.
He graduated from Joplin High School and started his apprenticeship as a pattern maker with Missouri Steel in Joplin.
In Aug. 1965, he married Linda Gasser and after a year, moved to Pittsburg, KS to further his patternmaking skills. In 1970, he founded Mastercraft Pattern and Model Works producing dies, patterns, and molds for the trucking and aerospace industries. He was known for his skills as a craftsman wood worker and was very articulate in his work.
Then in 1973, his son, Jonah C. was born. Paul loved sports and along with his wife and son, had many fun years whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, skiing and camping. They traveled to Arkansas, the Carolinas, Colorado, Wyoming and anywhere they could pursue their love of sports. So many dear friends were made along the way. All of whom are still cherished. Lots of fun experiences were had and stories to be told.
Being a patternmaker and designer, Paul couldn’t resist designing and making his own toys. He handcrafted a mahogany bicycle frame prototype and dubbed it “The Bishop Genesis”, which garnered the “Innovated Award” and a $500 prize at the Bicycle Plus Mountain Bikes Inaugural Awards Ceremony in Crested Butte, CO. He then received high ratings in the “Bicycling Magazine”. After finishing his bicycle made of carbon fiber and titanium, Paul rode the mahogany bicycle on many trails and his family each rode their own carbon fiber bike as well.
His love for whitewater kayaking inspired him to design and make kayaks, canoes and paddles from carbon fiber. Thus, the MX Missile was born from an Apply Design Race Boat, cut down to a squirt boat. This boat was known as the “Waterbug”. Then came the “Scorpion”, made off of a Photon Slalom Boat, the “Z Axis” came later, as well as the “Frog Foot” and the C-2 Boat, which he named the “Mamba”. He became known as a boat maker and sold, by special order, to paddlers across the country, as well and making boats for his family.
After retirement, Paul enjoyed his hobby building a model train layout in an unique room filled with model trains, track and landscaping. Many hours were spent reflecting his love of designing and model train building.
Paul enjoyed his life and family to the fullest and often said that he had no regrets.
Left behind a family he loved is wife Linda, son Jonah C. and wife Debbie, grandson Keenan, granddaughter Stephanie (Adam), great granddaughter Livi Mae, Brother Bob and wife Joleeta, nephew David, niece Jenny and several great nieces and nephews.
Paul’s wishes are to be cremated and take one last trip down a river he so loved, The Cossatot in Arkansas.
The family will receive visitors at Bath Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS on Friday June 27, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Additionally, friends are welcome to call the home. Memorials may be sent in honor of Paul Bishop to Angels Care Home Health, Pittsburg, KS or Compassus Hospice of Pittsburg, KS.
