About this Slideshow:

A “Paddle Out” is a memorial service created by surfers to remember a dear friend and surfer who will be greatly missed and no longer seen in the weekly line-up out on the waves.

Lamon Bishop was the father of one of my dearest childhood friends whom I have known since I was ten years old. He wasn’t just the father of a friend, but he had become through his reaching out to me over the years, a personal friend of mine.

Lamon was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He had so many amazing qualities, but one in particular which I admire most in others and see so rarely. Lamon purposed, or perhaps had acquired the gift through his love of God, to make every person feel like they were highly valued, loved, and important. In the shortest of conversations, sometimes just in a quick passing at a sporting event, or church gathering, the way he would look intently into my eyes, inquire about my life, and smile at my response, made me feel in those few moments like I was one of his most favorite people.  While talking to me he never glanced at his watch, peered over my shoulder looking for others to catch up with, or gave any hint of being in a hurry to move on.  While in conversation with me, Lamon never seemed to need or desire to be anywhere else.  After listening to stories this weekend shared by friends and family, it is clear that he made thousands of people feel this way.

There were easily a thousand people at his church memorial service on Saturday, and that was the fourth out of five services honoring him and his life.

There were two memorial services held in Ghana where he died of a very unexpected massive heart attack while working on the mission field, building a school for a church in Africa. There will be a burial service this week where he will again be honored by family, friends, and in addition the air force, for the time he spent serving in our military and in Vietnam.

This slideshow is from the service held last Friday, October 23, 2009 in Encinitas, California at one of Lamon’s favorite surf spots. I felt tremendously privileged to be witness to such a meaningful memorial that felt like it really represented Lamon in his element, at the beach, with friends and loved ones.

All of us loved him, and all of us felt deeply loved by him.

He will be missed daily until we are reunited with him… in Heaven.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:3

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21

Lamon Bishop’s Obituary