Bridges built a reputation as a servant and leader within the Abilene community, which he served in many different capacities. Voters elected him to the Abilene City Council in 1982, and he taught sociology at Hardin Simmons University.
Something Bridges dedicated the majority of his life to was missions. He was heavily involved in City Light Community Ministries through the First Baptist Church of Abilene. John Moore, pastor for missions at First Baptist Church Abilene and Executive Director at City Light Community Ministries knew Bridges for 15 years and says he was a man who loved the people in the community, “He loved people no matter what they looked like, what they smelled like, how they acted. He would give undivided attention to whoever he was talking about and he loved them and he loved his faith.”
Bridges also advocated for change in the community when it came to diversity. Bill Enriquez, member of the Abilene School Board and the Hispanic Leadership Council, says Bridges believed in making the whole community a better place, “He believed in inclusion. He believed in opportunities for all. I mean we could just go on and on about this man. He was just a fantastic, terrific individual.”
Bridges’ funeral will be held on Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Abilene.