Perry L. "Buddy" Bridges

Colonel (R) Perry L. Bridges, Jr. of Columbia Cross Roads, PA died Friday, July 14, 2017 .

He was born in Donalsonville, GA to the late Perry L Bridges and Mrs. Patricia Forrester Bridges, presently of Watkinsville, GA.  Buddy, as he was known to his family and friends, was raised by his loving parents on Potpourri Farm just outside of Blakely, GA.  He attended North Georgia College where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.  Graduating in 1977 with a BS degree, he was commissioned as a 2LT in the United States Army Signal Corps.  During his 27-year Army career he served with and commanded American Soldiers at the company, battalion, and brigade level—in Europe, Central America, and Asia.  After retiring from the Army he worked for Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY as a Senior Business Development Analyst, retiring from there in 2016.  Along the way Buddy earned master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the University of Alabama; served on the Board of Directors and was Vice Chairman of the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association (NGCCA); was a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the Military Officers Association (MOA), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  After settling on Snowdrift Road in Columbia Cross Roads he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member in the First Baptist Church of Troy, PA.

He is survived by his beloved wife Terry Kendall Bridges; their children—Robert Forrester Bridges and wife Christina of Kennesaw, GA; Caroline Bridges Bishop and husband Jeremy of Clarkesville, GA; and Taylor Kendall Bridges and wife Cortny of Nazareth, PA; three grandchildren, James Forrester Bridges, Steven Perry Bridges, and Mara Kendall Bishop.  Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Patricia Forrester Bridges of Watkinsville, GA; his parents-in-law, Mr. Jack Kendall and wife Nelda (Noddie), and Ms. Audrey Kendall and companion Mr. Dowain Nielson—all of Troy, PA; his sister Patricia Massey and husband Sam of Athens, GA; his brother Colonel (R) Clay Forrester Bridges and wife Laurence of Ankara, Turkey; his brother-in-law Jay Kendall and wife Mary of Columbia Cross Roads, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews who enriched his life.

Memorial service will be Tuesday, July 18th at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Troy, PA. 579 Canton Street, Troy, PA 16947. Visitation will be from10:00 – 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers Buddy requests three things:  (1) Attend the church of your choice this weekend (2) Make sure that you hug those folks you love. (3) Make a life-long habit of things one and two.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Service, 1093 West Main Street, Troy, PA.
 

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