Mr. James Edwin “Rusty” Bishop, Jr. : Obituary

Mr. James Edwin “Rusty” Bishop, Jr., age 63 of Blairsville, GA, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2017, at his home following a long illness. Rusty was born on August 7, 1953, in Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris and Edwin Bishop of Fayetteville, GA, and his beloved dachshund, Sadie.

Survivors include his other “girls,” Niki and Elsie; his sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and David Steed of Blairsville, GA; his nieces and nephews, Julie and Billy Cain of Jackson, GA; Carrie and Chris Collins of Fayetteville, GA; Ashley and Ryan Patterson of Atlanta, GA; his great nieces and great nephews, Brooke and Madeline Cain of Jackson, GA; Max and Luke Collins of Fayetteville, GA; Drew Maddox, Avery and Peyton Patterson, of Atlanta, GA; and a sister, Marsha Rainey and her family of Fayetteville, GA.

Rusty graduated from Georgia State University where he received his Bachelor degree in Accounting. He work for International Harvester early on, and later worked for Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP in the Accounting Department until he retired and moved to Blairsville, GA.

Rusty loved camping and made Choestoe Falls RV Park his home where he served as Treasurer of the HOA for around 11 years. He really enjoyed socializing with his friends in the park. He always called it “his little piece of heaven.” He was a fun person with a great sense of humor!
Animals were his love. His girls, Sadie, Niki and Elsie were his family. He took them everywhere and sometimes they would get him in a little trouble, but Rusty would always defend them even if they were in the wrong. He LOVED his girls! They made him happy. When he left the RV park to go camping away from Blairsville, they went with him. If you invited him over to dinner, they came with him. They were always together.

In keeping with his wishes, a small graveside service for his family and close friends is planned for Saturday, April 15 at 2:00 pm at Coosa United Methodist Church in Blairsville, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Humane Society’s Mountain Shelter in Blairsville, GA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville. Please share your condolences with Rusty’s family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.