Edward Lee Bridges

Edward Lee Bridges was born on March 3, 1934 in Goltry, Oklahoma. He was the son of Charles and Frances Bridges. Ed was raised and attended school in Carmen, Oklahoma, graduating from Carmen High School in 1953.

Upon graduation from high school, Ed was employed by the United State Gypsum Company as a laboratory technician. On July 7, 1954, Ed was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army. Upon completion of Signal School, Ed was assigned as a microwave radio repairman at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Upon his honorable discharge on June 6, 1956, Ed returned to Oklahoma.

After his military service, Ed attended the Mike Maroney Aeronautical School where he received further training and certification as a radar technician. He was then employed for over twenty years as a radar technician for the Federal Aviation Administration, maintaining sites for airline approach and air traffic control radar. He worked primarily in the four corners areas of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

Ed was married to Janet Duel on April 9, 1982 in Aline, Oklahoma. The couple have maintained their home in the Terlton area for the past several years. Ed enjoyed working on anything that was in need of repair, mechanical or electrical.

Ed passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at the Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital of Tulsa at the age of seventy-three years and twenty-four days. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Bridges, of the home; three sons, Kevin Barry of Houston, Texas; Todd Bridges of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Derek Bridges of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; three grandchildren, Kelsea Bridges of Watonga, Oklahoma, Kassidy Barry of Houston, Texas and Max Barry of Houston, Texas; and a brother, J. D. Bridges of Bethany, Oklahoma.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland on Friday, March 30, 2007 at 11:00 am, with Rev. Connie Taylor officiating. A committal service will follow at a later date at the Carmen Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.