Ronald Anthony Bridges

Ronald Anthony Bridges, age 65, entered into his new home, Wednesday, July 18 at the Johnson City Medical Center. He resided a 792 ½ Snapp Bridge Road, Limestone and formerly of Halls, TN. Mr. Bridges graduated in 1962 from TN School for the Blind. He was captain of the wrestling team and a state champ. He was also a trumpet player for the 'Dixieland Band'?. All proceeds from their traveling were donated back to the TN School for the Blind. He also traveled Europe for 3 years at the NCO Clubs as a professional drummer performing with Charlie Pride, Little Jimmy Dickens, Carl Perkins, Billy Walker, The Lovan Brothers, Ernie Ashworth and numerous others. After his return to the US, he worked at Tupperware, Inc for 23 years until his retirement in 1994. His hobbies included target shooting, sharpening, listening to music, drums and daily bible study and always wanted to learn something new. He also had his gun permit. He had boundless knowledge of WWII events. He also shared his love of drums with his 'special granddaughter'?, Whitney Marshall and son, Dean Crum. He was a member of the Limestone Church of Christ and loved to study the bible and share the word. He was preceded in death by his parents, P.B. and Flossie Bridges. Survivors include his wife, of 25 years and childhood sweetheart, Opal Bridges; a daughter, Rhonda Marshall and Buddy of Limestone; two sons, Dean Crum and his wife Angie, of Greeneville and Shawn Crum and his wife, Tracey, of Halls, TN; grandchildren, Whitney and Zakery Marshall of Limestone, Brandon and Ashley Crum of Greeneville and Emily and Allyson Crum of Halls, TN; one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Glendeen Bridges of Halls, TN; one niece and her husband, Lucinda and Michael Long of Halls, TN; one nephew and his wife, Bryan and Gina Bridges of Halls, TN; great nieces, Loran Bridges, Madison Johnson, and great nephew, Briar Bridges all of Halls, TN and several very close brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brandon Crum and Zakery Marshall, nephew, Bryan Bridges, brothers-in-law, Charles Cardwell, Michael Long, Gary Cole, Joe Taylor and Buddy Marshall. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Brewer, Hargus Robbins, Oather Hendon, James Brewer, Jack Davis, Danny Hollis, Charles Moore, Clifford Wilson, Marion Womack, J.T. Miller, Joe Brandon, Don Cardwell, Doyle Cardwell, Clayton Cardwell and Junior Cardwell. A funeral service for Mr. Bridges will be held at 8 PM Saturday, July 21, 2007 from the Morris-Baker Funeral Home North Chapel. Minister Terry Taylor will officiate. Graveside services for Mr. Bridges will be held at 2:30 PM Sunday, July 22, 2007 at Huskey Grove Family cemetery, Pigeon Forge, TN. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Special thanks to Dr. Nelson, Dr. Farrow, the Respiratory Staff at Mediserve and the Nursing Staff of the ICU and the Johnson City Medical Center. Contributions may be made in loving memory of his mother, Flossie Bridges, to the Alzheimer Association, 207 N. Boone Street, Johnson City, TN 37604.