David Lee Bridges is no more. He is bereft of life; deceased. He has wrung down the curtain and gone to ring the Sunday School bells in Heaven. He has expired and gone to meet his maker. His wife, Kathy, and son, Lewis, were by his side as he drifted off this mortal coil on July 15, 2019, at 6:05 p.m. at Memorial City Hospital, Dallas Texas. His spirit was released from his worn-out shell of a body and is now exploring the universe.
A celebration of life for David Bridges will be held July 27, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at FUMC Grapeland. Weary of reading obituaries and noting someone’s courageous battle with death, David wanted it known that he died as a result of not following doctor’s orders for more than forty decades. He is noted for being mule-headed, opinionated, and set in his ways. He was a staunch supporter of the Republican Party, loved a good Louis L’Amour western novel, John Wayne and Gene Autry.
David was born July 5, 1944, in Crockett, Texas to Raymond and Mildred Bridges. David attended school and graduated from Grapeland High School in 1962. He went on to study history and education at Stephen F. Austin State University obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree. Deciding that having one degree wasn’t enough, David pursued a Master’s degree from Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. He taught secondary education for several years before pursuing a supervisory role with Hope Center for Youth Wilderness Camps in Trinity County. After twenty-one years in public education, he hung up his teaching hat and put on a judge’s robe. He proudly served the community of Grapeland as a municipal judge for close to a decade. As if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, he also served as Chief of the Houston County Lake Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer paramedic for Grapeland VFD, and was a rural mail carrier.
David was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Lee Bridges; mother, Mildred Louise Jones Bridges; and stepfather, Lewis Bridges. He is survived by his first wife and mother of his son Lewis, Wanda Faye Lyle Asbury and husband Gordon of Lometa, Texas; son, Lewis Gail Bridges and wife Ronda of Lometa, Texas; wife of 49 ¾ years, Katherine Ann Kitner Bridges of Grapeland, Texas, daughters Kathi Knott and husband Jay of Yukon, Oklahoma; Patricia Hart and husband Gary of Bonaire, Georgia; and six grandchildren, Monica Bridges, Morgan Bridges, Brooke Bridges, Eric, Katie, and Kara Hart. He is also survived by his siblings, Ricky Bridges and wife Shirley of Grapeland, Texas; and Vernita Bridges-Hoyt of Spring, Texas.