Birth date: Aug 25, 1925 Death date: May 4, 2019
Clayton P. Bishop Jr. 93, of Eustis, passed away on May 4, 2019. He was born in Eustis and lived here all his life. He was a Veteran of WW II having served in the United States Navy. He was the former owner of Bishop's Flower Shop Read Obituary
Clayton Bishop was our Scoutmaster. Eustis Troop 151.
He produced five (5) Eagle Scouts in a year, Oliver Peters being the first. Not too many months after, he pinned four of us in one evening: Hippler, Douglas, Cunningham and Oliver. It. was a joy to tromp around Camp Lanoche, the Kennedy Space Center, trips and meetings and camporees, and visits to the City Commission, the Fire Department, swimming and lifesaving for 6 Monday nights in a row under the tutelage of Gene LaRoe
..... Gene certified the entire troop that summer - a great idea planned and executed by "Mr. B" who petitioned the city fathers to turn the keys over for that series of Monday evening when, otherwise, the pool was closed.
He was proud of us - and we of him: leader in the community; Rotarian of, like, 60 years perfect attendance; ace outdoorsman - and he generously shared all his tricks of the trade with us; business owner (a florist shop and then a camera/record shop); WWII Navy Photographer's Mate; postcard collector par excellence; recognized library and history supporter in the ol' hometown, involved in most every aspect of Eustis High School sports and band life - thanks Mary Ann, Richard, Barbara and John ...... but also because of his Scouts. He never quit looking after us. Clayton even motored up to Camp Lejeune for my Marine Corps retirement in 2004 - one of many trips he made to visit my grateful family; my grown children still refer to him as the unforgettable "Mr. B" ...
"May the Great Scoutmaster of all good Scouts be with us 'til we meet again."
THANK you for helping Jim and Marion raise me, Clayton! Love, Keith
As a long-time employee of the Eustis Memorial Library I enjoyed many years of Clayton's visits to the library. Not only was he a member of the Library Board, but his wealth of knowledge of Eustis history was boundless. He has been missed, but his legacy as a local historian will not be forgotten.
