Gene Bishop, a prominent resident of Dawson County, died Wednesday of natural causes.

Bishop served on the board of the Department of Natural Resources. He was past national president of the Jaycees' U.S. Junior Chamber International Senate. He also was a major benefactor of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

Bishop also was formerly president of the North Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Georgia Health Care Association and regional vice-president, first vice-president and national president of the American Health Care Association.

Bishop was well-known in political circles and was a friend of Gov. Nathan Deal.

"Gene Bishop was a great Georgian and a great humanitarian," Deal said Wednesday. "I have had the great fortune of calling him a loyal, personal friend. I will miss him greatly."

Funeral services have not yet been arranged.