John Curtis Bridges Sr.

Mr. Bridges, 84, of Charlotte, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2011 in Presbyterian Hospital’s Harris Hospice Unit.

Born October 30, 1926 in Sargeants, GA, Mr. Bridges was a son of the late John Simon Bridges and Pearl Eliza Welborn Bridges. Following graduation from high school in Newnan, GA, Mr. Bridges furthered his education at Burton’s Institute of Business. He served in the US Army, attached to the Medical Core and was honorably discharged from McPherson Army Base. Immediately prior to his entry into the military, he was employed with wiring B-17 bomber release doors.

During his younger years, Mr. Bridges was a truck driver. He later purchased and operated a service station in Pineville as well as a country store in Hemby Bridge. He was a member of Faith Family Christian Center in Rock Hill.

His interests included modified midget racing, stock car racing, golf, camping and motorcycle racing. Mr. Bridges was one of the original founders and stockholders of the Rock Rest Speedway in Monroe, a dirt track for midget and go-cart racing.

Mr. Bridges is remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father, and as a Christian who was generous to all.

His family includes his wife, Velma L. Bridges; his son, John C. Bridges, III and his wife, Janet; and daughter, Elizabeth Bridges and her husband, Edward; three grandchildren, Johnny Bridges and his wife Crystal, Jamie Gordon and her husband Christopher; and Julie Machin and her husband Brandon; and four great grandchildren, Cameron, Caitlyn, Kyle and Ephraim; four step grandchildren, Neal and his wife Kim, Jeff, Kelly and Jessie; and six step great grandchildren, Andrea, Stephen, Elizabeth, Alexia, Dakota and Jesson.

Mr. Bridges’ family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday, June 10th at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home. A service to celebrate Mr. Bridges’ life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 11th in the funeral home chapel followed by entombment with military rites in Forest Lawn West Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the Parkinson Support Group, 1401 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or Harris Hospice, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.