Jim Bridge

Jim was born in Manville, Wyoming, on August 19,
1933, at his mother’s home. His father, Jim Bridge, died three months before he
was born due to complications of serving in WWI. His mother, Anna Bridge, was
left to raise him and his two sisters during the depression. Jim grew up
playing near “The Peak” and moved to Lusk, Wyoming, when he was twelve years
old and helped pay his mother’s first rent payment with the money earned
driving a tractor. His “grit” started at a young age.

Jim played all sports through high school and went
to the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship. He interrupted his
college education and enlisted with the Army during the Korean War where he
became a medic. After two years, he returned to Wyoming where he finished
college and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. During the summers,
between college years, he rough necked all over Wyoming. He went on to teach at
Laramie High School where he coached football, wrestling and swimming. He went
back to U of W, during future summers and earned his master’s in parks and
recreation with a science focus.

He met the love of his life, Molly Riedesel Bridge,
in 1959. They married and had two, wonderful daughters and lived in Laramie
until 1965. They left Wyoming and moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Jim began
his career in the insurance business. The family size increased when they had
two, beloved sons. They moved to Eugene, in 1972, where Jim bought his life
insurance business. Jim resided in Eugene until he passed away on September 7,
2022.

Jim never knew a stranger and he loved to tell
stories. He’d meet people in the store, at rest areas or out hunting and
camping. He had some amazing tales to tell. If you knew him, you probably have
a favorite of his.

Jim was preceded in death by his son Jim T. Bridge
on 01.07.90 and Peter Bridge on 07.31.2010. He is survived by his wife Molly,
his daughters Annie Bridge Tabshy and Amy Bridge-Cate, grandchildren, Stefanie
Corley, Joe Corley, Susie Corley, Taylor Carlstrom, Dylan Carlstrom,
great-grandchildren Christopher Luarca, Yasmine Flemming, Millie Willingham,
Mitchell Crooms, Maliyah Crooms, and nephew Terry Rood.

A funeral service is planned for Saturday, October
8, at 1:00 pm, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1300 Pearl Street, Eugene,
Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to
Pete Moore Hospice House, Cascade Hospice Services, or St. Mary’s Episcopal
Church.

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