CALVIN THOMAS BISHOP
1929-2017
Calvin Thomas Bishop, beloved husband, father and grandfather, and renowned Texas landscape architect, passed away on August 19, 2017. He was born October 11, 1929 in Alexander City, Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Auburn University in 1951 and, along with Robert B. Walker, established the Houston firm of Bishop & Walker Landscape Architects and Planners, which rose to national prominence in the field. He served in numerous leadership positions in the profession, rising to become National President of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1981-82. Distinguished design projects in Houston included Bush Intercontinental Airport Master Landscape Site and Development plans, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, home office site plan for Humble Oil and Refining Company (later Exxon), and the FAA Regional Air traffic control Center, among others. National projects included the American Rose Center in Shreveport, Louisiana and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The work of Bishop and Walker was featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Record, Architectural Forum, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living, among others.
In 1984, Bishop elected to devote the remainder of his career primarily to teaching, and joined the faculty of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University as Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture.
In 2007, he was selected the “Distinguished Landscape Architect of Texas” by the Texas Chapter of the ASLA.
Bishop was a founding member of Billboards Limited, Inc., seeking to improve the visual prospects of Houston streets and highways. He was Chairman of the Governor’s Comprehensive Study Committee to produce long range development goals for the Houston-Gulf Coast Region of Texas (1972), and was Chairman of the Houston Bicentennial Future Committee. He served as an auxiliary Houston police officer early in his career. He was an adult leader in Boy Scouts, and a Deacon of Second Baptist Church.
He leaves his loving wife, Lenna G. Bishop, blessed to have him by her side for 67 years of marriage. He also is survived by son Dr. Leigh C. Bishop and wife Jody of Houston; daughter Beverly L. Bishop of Houston, and daughter Lane A. Ward and husband Lee of Marietta, GA. Grandchildren include Joshua Bishop, Jessica Bishop, Catherine Duffin and husband Paul, Jordan Bishop, Aaron Ward, and Matthew Ward.
A Visitation will be held on August 23, 2017 at 10:00 am at Miller Funeral Chapel 7723 Beechnut, Houston, Texas 77074 with a Funeral Service to start at 11:00 am. A Graveside Service will take place on August 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Wister City Cemetery, Wister Oklahoma. Condolence may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com