Brian Bishop’s life of adventure, excitement, satisfaction and reward began in Norman, Oklahoma and was completed December 28, 2023 at his home in Houston, Texas following a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Brian was a ‘serial entrepreneur’ but had many interests including: theology, classical architecture, history, art, design, marketing, archeology, Sooner sports, and his family. A lifelong learner, he found great intellectual satisfaction in studying quantum physics, the limits of gravity, and simulated universes; he loved a good conspiracy theory.
He considered it folly to chase money, explaining that true entrepreneurs aren’t motivated by financial reward, rather by finding solutions to seemingly impossible challenges and quieting the doubters.
Brian influenced many small everyday contributions to American life, including the initial concept of NIKE Town, the expanded acceptance of ATM cards, and the development of a simple solution impacting convenience store profits by installing fountain drinks in lieu of canned soft drinks.
While still a student at the University of Oklahoma he was asked to formulate an acceptable labor plan for the Alaska Pipeline under Union 798 before the giant construction project could get underway in 1974. After college he founded United Bank Services and installed the program in over 300 banks nationwide; he later pursued a master's degree in fine art. At one time his artwork was a substantial part of the permanent print collection of the OU museum, and he had a studio in Norman where his prints and paintings were often on display.
In 1985 he founded Circuit Board Technologies, which developed ‘fast track’ methods for integrated circuit board manufacture and repair using cross-training methodologies. The company customer list included IBM, Micronics, Intel, AST, V- tech, Zenith, and the Department of Defense.
His life took a dramatic turn on April 19, 1995 when the OKC bombing compelled him to give his company to his employees and dedicate five years of his life to helping others. He served as the Assistant to Senior Pastor Nick Harris at First Methodist Church, whose building was across the street from the bombing and was destroyed by the blast.
He made over a dozen trips to the Holy Land and Middle East during this time, and for a decade (2008-2018) also served as vice chairman of a mission, school and clinic in Tharaka, Kenya, built to help the most impoverished tribe in Kenya feed over 250 people daily.
He founded ‘OUInsider.com’ in 1998 and was proud that it continues to serve the Oklahoma media market as a member of the Rivals network.
Brian is survived by his dynamic wife, Regine Familet, his sons Andy, Michael and their spouses, and daughter Bunni as well as four wonderful grandchildren. Also a sister Carol Hackett of Derby, Kansas and a brother, Rev. Gary Bishop, of Grove, Oklahoma.
Although his friends and acquaintances spanned the entire socioeconomic ladder, he most admired the character, humor and integrity found in common man, and counted his father as the greatest man he’d ever known.
Despite being outspoken, opinionated and far from perfect, he always sought to follow in the footsteps of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Nothing shall separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, neither height or depth nor any other created thing. We are His forever."
Brian was a ‘serial entrepreneur’ but had many interests including: theology, classical architecture, history, art, design, marketing, archeology, Sooner sports, and his family. A lifelong learner, he found great intellectual satisfaction in studying quantum physics, the limits of gravity, and simulated universes; he loved a good conspiracy theory.
He considered it folly to chase money, explaining that true entrepreneurs aren’t motivated by financial reward, rather by finding solutions to seemingly impossible challenges and quieting the doubters.
Brian influenced many small everyday contributions to American life, including the initial concept of NIKE Town, the expanded acceptance of ATM cards, and the development of a simple solution impacting convenience store profits by installing fountain drinks in lieu of canned soft drinks.
While still a student at the University of Oklahoma he was asked to formulate an acceptable labor plan for the Alaska Pipeline under Union 798 before the giant construction project could get underway in 1974. After college he founded United Bank Services and installed the program in over 300 banks nationwide; he later pursued a master's degree in fine art. At one time his artwork was a substantial part of the permanent print collection of the OU museum, and he had a studio in Norman where his prints and paintings were often on display.
In 1985 he founded Circuit Board Technologies, which developed ‘fast track’ methods for integrated circuit board manufacture and repair using cross-training methodologies. The company customer list included IBM, Micronics, Intel, AST, V- tech, Zenith, and the Department of Defense.
His life took a dramatic turn on April 19, 1995 when the OKC bombing compelled him to give his company to his employees and dedicate five years of his life to helping others. He served as the Assistant to Senior Pastor Nick Harris at First Methodist Church, whose building was across the street from the bombing and was destroyed by the blast.
He made over a dozen trips to the Holy Land and Middle East during this time, and for a decade (2008-2018) also served as vice chairman of a mission, school and clinic in Tharaka, Kenya, built to help the most impoverished tribe in Kenya feed over 250 people daily.
He founded ‘OUInsider.com’ in 1998 and was proud that it continues to serve the Oklahoma media market as a member of the Rivals network.
Brian is survived by his dynamic wife, Regine Familet, his sons Andy, Michael and their spouses, and daughter Bunni as well as four wonderful grandchildren. Also a sister Carol Hackett of Derby, Kansas and a brother, Rev. Gary Bishop, of Grove, Oklahoma.
Although his friends and acquaintances spanned the entire socioeconomic ladder, he most admired the character, humor and integrity found in common man, and counted his father as the greatest man he’d ever known.
Despite being outspoken, opinionated and far from perfect, he always sought to follow in the footsteps of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Nothing shall separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, neither height or depth nor any other created thing. We are His forever."
