Bret Emory Bishop

The family of Bret Bishop is heartbroken to share the news of his passing on October 24, 2025, in Pace, Florida.

Bret was born in Alma, Georgia to Nolan and Vivian Bishop and spent his early years with his family in Adel, Georgia. He participated in baseball, wrestling and band. Bret was a member of the State championship wrestling team at Cook High School in 1986. He qualified for state in wrestling all 4 years of high school. He was a leader in the band and was a member of the band council. He received numerous band honors throughout high school. Bret enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Bret graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1993 and was commissioned as a Naval Officer through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. After earning his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in 1996, he served on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower where he later redesignated as an Aviation Maintenance Officer. He later served onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which deployed immediately after 9/11 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His career included assignments at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 in Hawaii, as the Maintenance/Material Control Officer on the USS Carl Vinson, and as an Executive Aviation Liaison at the Program Executive Office for Aircraft Carriers in Washington, D.C. He volunteered for an independent assignment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, where he performed counter-IED operations with Joint Crew Composite Squadron ONE (JCCS-1) and was awarded the Bronze Star. He then served as the Assistant Carrier Strike Group Readiness Officer and Shore Readiness Officer at Naval Air Force Atlantic and then transferred to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in Pensacola before retiring in 2019.

Being a father to Sarah and James was the greatest joy of his life. He was deeply involved in their childhood, spending countless hours coaching their soccer, lacrosse, and wrestling teams. Following his retirement in 2019, his love for cooking grew and he often invited friends to come over for dinner after cooking the most elaborate spread. Everyone was always welcome for dinner and he would feed everyone who walked in the door.

Bret was preceded in death by his father, Nolan Bishop. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Sarah and James; their mother, Kimberly Gorman; his mother, Vivian; his sisters Monika (Scott) and Colleen; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1st, at 2 p.m. at National Cremation in Milton, Florida. A time of gathering and family visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Please join us for a reception following the service for a time of fellowship at National Cremation. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.