Sept. 8, 2023-Dec. 15, 2023
Owen Thomas Bishop was born on Sept. 8, 2023, at 9 a.m. in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the University of Utah — the same day as Lissencephaly Awareness Day.
At the age of 3 months, Owen passed on Dec. 15, 2023, at 11 a.m. in his home in Enterprise, Utah, held by his parents.
Owen passed away in hospice care at home with his parents due to complications of Miller Dieker’s Syndrome causing Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia and MAPCAs. Owen was diagnosed with Miller Dieker’s Syndrome at 28 weeks in utero, and his heart condition was diagnosed at birth. Additionally, Owen had Lissencephaly, a condition caused by MDS. His animal is the koala. They are the mascot of Lissencephaly as they too have smooth brains.
Despite his short time on Earth, Owen had a profound impact on many people. He spent two months at Primary Children’s in the NICU in Salt Lake City. He beat all odds. With the unknown of surviving pregnancy or birth, Owen came out crying and lived on room air for a week. Owen underwent G-Tube surgery, battled sepsis, seizures and tet spells, yet remained a happy baby.
Once we got home, he did great. He did more than his parents could ever ask for. He tracked well with his big beautiful brown eyes. Owen had a great ability to locate his mom wherever she was just by using his eyes. They would often play a game together, testing his remarkable skill. All his parents wanted early on was to see Owen’s smile. He blessed them with many throughout his life. Owen’s parents were amazed by how much he loved to babble and talk. His mom was always there to listen to him. Owen enjoyed cuddling and singing with his mom, especially when the songs had his name in them. Whenever he was feeling down, a little bouncing and an “Owen” song would instantly brighten his mood. Sometimes Owen could not sleep unless he was in his boppy or in his mom’s arms.
He adored his contrast book of animals, looking at it wherever it was. He heard “For your smile” the most out of his big collection of books. His gorgeous long hair was the first thing to catch people’s attention. It naturally fell into a textured swoop to his right side. It looked like he had it professionally done. He was Elvis for Halloween and rocked his gelled hair. One of the comforting things he liked was having a hand run through his hair or scratching his head.
Part of Owen’s condition, they have a weak suck. Owen at first struggled, but in his usual fashion, he was fantastic after he had practice! This amazed everyone as well. He was a big fan of his pacifier and found a lot of comfort in it. Despite his condition, he had strong legs and arms, and his grip was impressively strong. His physical therapists were amazed by his strength. From the very beginning, he fought off nurses and surprised everyone who interacted with him. Perhaps now he serves as a bodyguard for God.
He was an immense blessing for his parents. Owen was the perfect son, who blew expectations out of the water. He will forever be missed and appreciated by everyone who knew him.
Owen is survived by his mother Hannah Bishop, father Matthew Bishop, grandparents Janet Williams and Arwin Boaz and Tom and Tammy Bishop; great-grandma Betty Reed, aunts Alycia Williams, Allie Prunier, Jasmine Williams, Sharwin Boaz and Megan Bishop, and uncles Malachi Boaz and Josh Prunier
Sadly, Owen’s cousin Landon Prunier preceded him in death.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, from 9-10 a.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff St., St. George, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m., at the Enterprise City Cemetery, Enterprise.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Owen’s online guest book.