Jon Brice Bishop, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on October 14 at the age of 63 surrounded by his family.
Born on April 22, 1963, Brice grew up in Sheffield, Alabama where he became a gifted athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. He went on to attend the University of North Alabama where he played tennis from 1982-1985, winning consecutive Gulf South Conference singles championships in 1984 and 1985 and becoming UNA’s first tennis All-American. After graduating from UNA in 1985, he earned a master’s degree from Western Carolina University.
Brice devoted his entire life to what he considers the best game to ever be played. He spent more than 35 years as a tennis player and coach, including Western Carolina University, Union University, Shoals Christian School, and more than two decades at UNA. He was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions and commitment to the school in 2001. In 2022, he was inducted into the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame. He is scheduled to be inducted into the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame.
He stepped down as UNA’s head tennis coach in April of 2022, but never stepped away from the game. Later that year, he founded the North Alabama Tennis Academy at Cypress Lakes in Muscle Shoals.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John Harvey Ray Bishop, Mary Lucy Bishop, Edward Earl King, and Josephine Elizabeth King.
Brice is survived by his wife, Carol Franklin Bishop; parents, Frank and Peggy Bishop; their three children, Mackenzie Brock (Lee), Will Bishop (Drew), and Lee-Taylor Bishop; two grandchildren, Grady and Josephine Brock; brothers, Billy Bishop (Gini) and Barry Bishop (Jennifer).
Visitation will be on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11-1 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Dr. John Brock officiating. The burial will be at Greenview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Bishop, Josh Smith, Jonathan Shepard, Bo Gooch, William Bishop and Bradley Murphree. Honorary Pallbearer will be Harrison Murphree.
Beyond his accomplishments in athletics, Brice is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of faith whose life has been marked by perseverance, determination, and a lasting influence on the people around him.
“Let’s get vertical” has been Brice’s daily goal for the past 7 years. Every day he strove to first get vertical with Christ by reading his Bible and to then get vertical physically. He has now fulfilled this goal in the best way possible.
