THOMAS L. BRIDGES, JR.

January 23, 1927 – January 1, 2013 

Thomas Luther Bridges, Jr., age 85, of 302 Lloyd Drive, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family at the Fellowship Health and Rehab.  Born in Anderson County, he was the son of the late Thomas L. Bridges, Sr., and the late Nellie Lyall Dillard Bridges.  For 57 years he was married to his first wife, Mary Frances Radford Bridges until her death.  

Mr. Bridges attended Clemson University and was a veteran of the US Army, serving in the Pacific during WW II.  For many years he was in various supervisory roles within the textiles industry, having worked for Abney Mills, Dan River Mills, and retired from Springs Industries.  He also worked for Michelin, and served as a school crossing guard at Concord Elementary School for 9 years.  For 39 years, Tom was a high school football official and in his earlier years was a Silver Glove Boxer.  He was a devoted and faithful member of Forest Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.  

Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Betty Byrum Bridges of the home; a son Tony Bridges and his wife, Janet, of Hartwell, GA; 2 grandchildren,  Chanda Bridges Lawson and her husband Ben; and Laurie Coggins and husband, Christian; 3 great grandsons, Tanner Stansell Lawson, Camden Bridges Lawson and Christian Smith Coggins.  In addition to his parents and his first wife, Mr. Bridges was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Bridges and a sister Elise Bridges Kay.    

The service to celebrate and honor the life of Mr. Thomas Bridges will be held at the Forest Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 1 PM, with Rev. Tom Owen and Dr. Dean Weaver officiating.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Friday, January 4, 2013, from 6 PM until 8 PM.   

Contributions in memory of Mr. Bridges may be made to Forest Hill Baptist Church, 909 Plantation Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.