Wayne Franklin Bridges 1940~2009

BRIDGES, ROKEY, HARTLEY, ARMSTRONG

Posted By: Mary Ellen (email)
Date: 7/8/2009 at 09:27:06

Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier July 8, 2009

BLAKESBURG — Wayne Franklin Bridges, 68, lost his brief battle with pancreatic cancer at 4:40 p.m. June 22, 2009, at 703 Lee Ave. in Ottumwa, Iowa.He was born at home Sept. 19, 1940, in Ottumwa to Harold Franklin and Esther Elizabeth Rokey Bridges.A graduate of Blakesburg High School in 1958, he was self-employed in construction. He grew up in Blakesburg and lived in California and Texas. Wayne enjoyed playing pool since he was a youngster in Blakesburg. He enjoyed going to flea markets in Texas and Iowa with many things he had designed and made. He owned his own business in Conroe, Texas. He never knew a stranger, so besides numerous relatives in Blakesburg and surrounding area, he leaves many, many friends in Texas and Iowa.Wayne is survived by his daughter, Victoria Lee Bridges; grandson, special friend and buddy, Joshua Wayne Bridges; both of Channelview, Texas; a sister, Mary Helen Hartley and husband, Ivan, of High Amana; very special and devoted cousin, Debbie Hammond and husband, Jim, of Ottumwa; former wife and friend, Karen Armstrong Bridges of Channelview, Texas; a lifelong friend, Judy Amery; nieces and nephews and his longtime childhood friend, his "Little Buddy" Mike Ruby and wife, Bev, also a loving friend, of Blakesburg.He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Margie Hunter.His body has been cremated.A memorial service presided over by an elder will be held at Kingdom Hall, 624 W. Rochester St., Ottumwa, Iowa, on July 18, 2009, with the time pending. A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at the home of Mike and Bev Ruby, 3951 Monroe Wapello Road, Blakesburg, from 4-6 p.m. July 11, 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jehovah's Witnesses, Blakesburg Alumni Association or Hospice, 312 E. Alta Vista Ave., Ottumwa, Iowa 52501.