Jacob W. Bridger

Jacob William Bridger was born May 21, 2002, in Daytona Beach to the delight of his parents and two-year old brother. As a child, Jacob attended Pathways Elementary school and later, Holly Hill Middle School. Jacob finished his public education and graduated from Mainland High School in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic.

After graduating, Jacob set his sights on becoming a firefighter and following in his father’s footsteps. Jacob enrolled in the Daytona State College Firefighting Program, which he successfully completed in November 2020. As is customary to qualify for employment, he completed the Bureau of Fire Standards test, and earned his certification. In addition, Jacob studied and obtained his Emergency Medical Technician certification in June of 2021 and was employed with the Edgewater Fire Department for a short time. Jacob was later hired by the City of South Daytona Fire Department where he flourished not only as a probationary firefighter but also continued his training earning his Driver Engineer certification. In January 2023, He enrolled in the Paramedic program, once again offered at Daytona State College. In May of this year, Jacob not only completed that course of study but also the Basic Life Support Instructor course allowing him to teach CPR to others.

During his free time, Jacob was an avid video gamer, watching You Tube/Anime, and spending time with his older brother, Joshua, and friends Dillon, Jackson and Tommy. Jacob also had a love for motorcycles and in 2023 purchased his first bike, a Suzuki motorcycle. Unfortunately, Jacob had an accident while riding but was lucky enough to walk away with only a broken finger, sprained ankle and a severely bruised ego. Missing the motorcycle riding he so loved, Jacob purchased his second bike in April of this year as a gift to himself for completing the paramedic program. Jacob loved working out and spent many hours at the Holly Hill Fire Station 96 exercising with the crews there. Comradery amongst firefighters is common and friendships become a “brotherhood”. Chief James Bland of the Holly Hill Fire Department became a great mentor to Jacob, welcoming him over the recent years. Jacob was kind, thoughtful and loved by all that knew him.

Jacob William Bridger died alone on May 22, 2024, in the Canaveral National Seashore Reserve. He is survived by his parents, David and Jenny Bridger and his older brother Joshua. He is pre-deceased by grandmothers Geneva Laws, Sharon Blanton, his great grandmother, Rosemary Rutherford, and his beloved uncle Bobby.

Jacob will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing this loving and special young man. GOD speed, Jacob…

Friends and family are invited to gather together for a Celebration of Jacob's Life beginning at 11:00 am Wednesday, June 12, at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home - Port Orange. A Memorial Service, to include Fire Department Honors, will begin at 1:30 pm.