Travis L. Bridges

Travis L. Bridges, a decorated Air Force veteran and a nationally recognized former Duval County Democratic Party chair and community activist, passed away on August 16. The Jacksonville native turned 84 on April 6.

His life was one of service to both our nation and to the community. It was Travis who oversaw Duval County's successful voter turnout in 2008 that was crucial in delivering Florida's electoral college votes to Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president, and Obama's re-election in 2012. It was during Travis' six years (2006-2012) as chair of the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee (DCDEC) that Jacksonville elected its first African-American mayor, and the first Democrat to occupy that office in 24 years.

As staff Sergeant Bridges he distinguished himself during his Vietnam tour for which he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service as detachment coordinator while assigned to the 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base. There his "distinctive accomplishments" included coordinating and setting up hospitals (MASH units) and heroics while stranded in the jungles several days surrounded by enemy fire while he cared for the wounded until

helicopters could evacuate them.

Before becoming involved in Democratic Party politics, Travis, a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School who attended the University of Tampa and Armstrong State College, was a business entrepreneur. His ventures included a Jacksonville-based courier business, a disco and restaurant in Valdosta, Ga., a sandwich shop in Clay County, and founder of a Miami school for those with Downs Syndrome. After retiring from the Air Force in July 1977, he worked in hospital administration in Lee County and published an employment newsletter for the nursing profession. He was also involved with the work of L'Arche Rainbow, a program that

served those with Down's like his oldest daughter, and worked to raise awareness on community issues as a member of a past president of the Tiger Bay Club. He also was a member of the Northeast Florida Sierra Club, and St. Johns Riverkeeper.

Travis joined the DCDEC in 2003. A year later he was the director of the

Veterans for John Kerry Campaign for Northeast Florida. In 2005, he was elected vice chair of the DCDEC. He assumed the duties of the chair in 2006 upon the sudden resignation of the former chair. He was appointed by three different Florida Democratic Party chairs to serve on the state party executive committee, where he became a member of the Clubs and Caucuses Committee and the Rules Committee.

As a political activist, Travis was recognized for his work to unify and diversify the Duval Democratic Party and to ensure equality of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation and national origins in its operations. He also put the Party on a sounder footing by fundraising and drawing volunteers to its headquarters. He had a unique ability to recognize and tap talents of party members to help strengthen and grow the party.

The increase in Duval voter turnout in 2008 coupled with the success of Alvin Brown’s mayoral race brought national attention to party efforts in Northeast Florida. Travis heightened get-out-the-vote efforts by coordinating phone banks and canvassing with Organizing For America.

His work earned him the annual Florida Democratic Party "Golden Gavel" award for outstanding performance of a Democratic Party chair in 2010 and 2011. It recognized the Inside Report newsletter he launched and that was hailed as the best county party publication in Florida and one of the best in the country.

Travis was honored by many national Democratic Party officials, some of whom were featured speakers at local party fundraising events. Keynote speakers included Florida's U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, then chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) at an event in 2012. Others included former U.S. Ambassador Nancy Soderberg who worked closely with Travis to recruit other prominent speakers, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, retired four-star Gen. Wesley Clark and "Terrorism Czar" Richard A. Clarke. Soderberg, a former Clinton

White House and National Security advisor known for negotiating the peace in Northern Ireland, elevated interest of local Democrats to run for office when in 2012 she challenged an anointed Republican for the newly drawn and gerrymandered State Senate Dist. 4 seat. Though she lost the race, it inspired other qualified Democratic candidates to jump into races, including non-partisan contests.

Though a dedicated Democrat and relentless champion of democratic values, Travis counted among his friends local Republican politicians with whom he worked on community issues and programming for the Tiger Bay Club.

Travis is preceded in death by his wife Pat and his daughter Cheryl. He is

survived by daughter Lisa Snyder (Jimmy), grandchildren Jessica Shukin (Jason Getreu), Jordyn Jaroszeski (Justin), Jakob Snyder, and great-granddaughter Jenna Jaroszeski, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements are being handled by Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills, 850 St.

Johns Bluff Rd. N. Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from 5-7 pm and the Funeral service on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 from 9:30-11am followed by a procession to Evergreen Cemetery for graveside military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in the name of Cheryl Bridges to L’Arche Rainbow Workshop. Address: 700 Arlington Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32211. Or on-line at: http://www.larchejacksonville.org/participate/donate/.