Joshua Bishop

CHAPELHILL, N.C. Joshua Heath Bishop went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 after an extended illness.He was a native of Kingsport but had lived in Troutman, N.C., for the last several years. Josh grew up in Kingsport and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School. After graduation he served in the United States Marine Corp. He lived in Chattanooga, Tenn., for several years, where he attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He loved stock car racing his whole life and pursued his desire to work on a pit crew with the stubborn determination that all his friends knew him for. Josh worked his way up through the industry and realized his dreams of working as a mechanic for a NASCAR team. In 2008 he left NASCAR to pursue a degree in accounting and spend more time at home with his wife, Stephanie and their two dogs.He was a lifelong fan of the New Orleans Saints and the Tennessee Volunteers. He loved to spend time running with his dogs, playing basketball and working on almost anything mechanical.Josh was open and caring and gave freely of his time and attention to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed by all that had the opportunity to know him.He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Vermillion-Bishop, of Troutman; parents, Jim and Susan Bishop, of Kingsport; brother, Will and his wife, Lori of Johnson City; brother, Brian and his wife, Jessica of Johnson City; nephews, Andrew and Noah Bishop; niece, Riley; and several cousins.The family will receive friends today from 5-7 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport.A celebration of life will be held at Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence for the family. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport is serving the family of Joshua Heath Bishop.