Marion Lanson “Lanny” Bishop, Jr., entered peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 19, 2026. Born in Gainesville, Florida, on January 7, 1947, to Marion Lanson Bishop, Sr., and Mildred Robinette Bishop, Lanny was raised in Newberry, Florida, where he attended school and graduated from Newberry High School in 1965. As a student, he played football and was deeply involved in the Future Farmers of America, serving as chapter president and earning the prestigious American FFA Degree.

After high school, Lanny attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), earning an Associate of Science in Agricultural Mechanics. On September 7, 1968, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Debra Lynn Chastain. They began their life together in Trenton, Florida, where Lanny taught agricultural mechanics at the Vocational-Technical School in Trenton, Florida.

Less than a year into their marriage, as the Vietnam War intensified, Lanny answered his nation’s call. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969, completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and became an aircraft mechanic. After being stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, he deployed in 1970 with the 314th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Tactical Air Command, Pacific Air Force, to CCK Air Base in Taiwan for 15 months. Lanny served as crew chief on a C‑130 Hercules, flying missions into Vietnam and Thailand, transporting troops, munitions, and supplies. He was released from active duty in 1972 and served two additional years in the Air Force Reserve at Eglin Air Base and Duke Field.

After Vietnam, Lanny and Lynn moved to Quincy, Florida, where he continued teaching agricultural mechanics at the Gadsden County Vocational-Technical School while Lynn taught elementary school. During their years in Quincy, they welcomed their first two sons: Marion Lanson “Lanse” Bishop III on March 24, 1974, and Jonathan Chastain Bishop on October 12, 1977. Between the births of Lanse and Jon, Lanny earned both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Agricultural Mechanics and Educational Leadership from Florida A&M University. He was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Quincy, and the friendships and memories formed during those years remained dear to him throughout his life.

In June 1980, Lanny and Lynn moved to Lake Butler, Florida, settling into the home on 5th Avenue where he would spend the rest of his life. Lanny began working with Farm Bureau Insurance while Lynn started her long and distinguished career at Lake Butler Elementary School. On August 3, 1981, they welcomed their third son, Mitchell David Bishop. Lanny continued his service to Christ as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Lake Butler, and later Sardis Baptist Church in Worthington Springs.

After several years with Farm Bureau, Lanny returned to the classroom, beginning a decades-long tenure as the agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Baker County Middle School. For more than twenty years, he taught agriculture, woodworking, mechanics, and leadership—shaping countless young people and teaching them how to grow things, build things, fix things, and lead with integrity. After 35 years of teaching, Lanny retired in 2009. He had fond memories of the annual Seasoned Owl reunions of retired FFA Advisors.

Lanny’s commitment to service extended far beyond the classroom. Shortly after moving to Lake Butler, he joined the Lake Butler Volunteer Fire Department, then he earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, and he became one of the first firefighters in Union County to complete state certification at the Florida State Fire College. For nearly 30 years, he served his community faithfully as an EMT, firefighter, and the Division Fire Chief for Union County Fire-Rescue.

Alongside his teaching and EMS service, Lanny farmed the land where he was raised between Newberry and Gainesville, in what is now Jonesville. He raised cattle and grew hay, watermelon, cantaloupe, and timber. On that same land, he taught his sons the value of hard work, stewardship, and the satisfaction of building, growing, and repairing with one’s own hands. For many years, Lanny balanced a full-time teaching career, night shifts with fire rescue, and weekends on the farm—all to provide for his family.

Lanny loved farming and was committed to preserving the land, serving for many years on the Union County Soil and Water Conservation Board. His favorite pastime was woodworking, and he could build or repair nearly anything. Tables, bookshelves, storage chests, bunk beds, and countless other pieces crafted by his hands remain in the homes of family and friends, each one a quiet testament to his skill and generosity.

Lanny was a devoted father, always present, always teaching, always supporting. Whether volunteering at school events, building furniture or forts, serving as a medic on the sidelines of a football game, helping with props for a band performance, or offering spirited “feedback” to referees at a basketball game, he showed up for his boys in every season of their lives. And as a grandfather, he poured that same love, pride, and devotion into his grandchildren.

He was a steadfast and loving husband to Lynn, his wife of 58 years. Their marriage was a testament to Biblical, covenantal love—weathering life’s highs and lows together, honoring their vows “for better or for worse,” and remaining devoted to one another until the end.

Lanny is preceded in death by his parents, Marion Lanson Bishop, Sr., and Mildred Robinette Bishop, and his sister, Marilyn Bishop Shaw. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn Chastain Bishop; his sons, Marion Lanson “Lanse” Bishop, III (Tara), Jonathan Chastain Bishop (Rachel), and Mitchell David Bishop (Meghan); and his cherished grandchildren: Kaiden Lanson Bishop, Jaxson Angelo Bishop, Morgan Dean Bishop, Isla Lynn Bishop, Landon Marion Bishop, and Declan Joseph Bishop.

A visitation will be held at Sardis Baptist Church in Worthington Springs, Florida, on September 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with a service to follow at 11:00 AM. Pastor Paul O’Steen will officiate. Arrangements are under the care of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Haven Hospice in Lake City, Florida.