Ronald Bridges

Funeral services for Ronald Bridges were held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Elmo Herman officiating.

Tessa Bridges was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Stuart Bridges, Elliot Bridges, Jake Bridges, Isaac Bridges, Orion Bridges, Xavier Bridges and Dillon Springer.

Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ronald Lee Bridges, age 76, of Gregory, SD, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. He was born in Oskaloosa, IA, on November 10, 1944, to Theodore and Florence (Townsley) Bridges. Ron attended country school at White Oak, Wright, and What Cheer in Mahaska and Keokuk counties in Iowa before moving to Thatcher, AZ, in the eighth grade. After graduating from high school in Thatcher he joined the Army and served as 1st infantry in Vietnam from 1965-1968.

After the Army, Ron was married and raised two boys, Stuart and Elliott. Stuart was born in Arizona, and Elliott was born in Nebraska during Ron’s time at Peru State College where he graduated with a teaching degree in 1975. There were different stops teaching and coaching on his way to Fairmont, starting in 1983, where he met his wife, Linda. They were married on July 27, 1984. After teaching, Ron worked as a machinist for 25 years. After raising their family and living in their home in Fairmont, NE, for 35 years, they moved to Gregory, SD, in August of 2019.

Ron was always working with his hands, from building homes with his dad and brothers, to his time in the Army, and as a machinist. There were plenty of projects in Ron’s life, from pine wood derby cars to additions to the house, and his red truck. The ability to work with his hands declined after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease ten years ago.

Throughout his life sports were at the forefront, from a short college baseball career prior to the Army to coaching high school volleyball and basketball in Fairmont, followed by many various seasons coaching his children and grandchildren’s youth teams in soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball. While his kids competed in sports throughout high school and college, Ron was committed to attending every game possible.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Bridges of Gregory, SD; sons, Stuart of Fairmont, NE, Elliott (Barbi Thomas) of Glendale, AZ, and Jake (Shanna) of Sterling, NE; daughter Rachel (Dillon) Springer of Gregory, SD; nine grandchildren, Isaac (Karley), Orion, Xavier, Jade, Tessa, Bowen, Bentley, Eleanor, and Everett; one great-grandchild Derek; brothers, Tommy (Geneva) of Idaho Falls, ID, Gary (Helen) of Leoma, TN, Teddy (Andrea) of Glendale, AZ; sister Deborah (John) Hoover of Bridgewater, VA; sisters-in-law, Arlys (Ron) Hubert of Bonner Springs, KS, and Ardeth Rhodes of Concordia, KS; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.