Richard Allen Bridge Sr.

     Richard Allen Bridge Sr. 83, of Linesville, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at his residence after a lengthy illness. 

     Born February 10, 1940, in Wilkinsburg, he was the son of Charles and Ethel (Hitchings) Bridge. He married Marlene L. McGavisk on March 6, 1984 at the Special Forces Aberdeen Chapel in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

     Richard was a 1958 graduate of Linesville High School where he was president of the FFA.  For 24 years, he served in the United States Army in radio communications as a Master Sergeant in the Special Forces Delta Force and also served as a Jumpmaster from 1958 until he retired May 1, 1982.  After retiring from the military, he owned Bridge Electronics II installing military communication systems internationally until he retired in 1986. 

     He was a member of the Linesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7842, the Linesville American Legion Post 462, the National Rifle Association and the Disabled American Veterans Association. 

     Richard enjoyed woodworking, hunting, gardening, sewing and he was an excellent cook.   He loved farming, raising his animals and his beloved Yorkies Delta, Dawn and his little buddy Gallo. 

     He loved spending time with family and cherished his children and grandchildren.  His favorite quote was “It’s not a big deal.”

     Survivors include his loving wife of 39 years, Marlene L. Bridge; a son, Richard A. Bridge Jr. of Linesville; two daughters, Pamela A. (David) Severo of Parrish, Florida and Kimberly (Duane) Eccles of High Point, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Jessica Schell of Greensboro, North Carolina, Amethyst Eccles (Jordan) Worley of Linwood, North Carolina, Jazmine (Dylan) Eccles of Greenville, South Carolina, Abigail (Jake) Severo of Bradenton, Florida and Rachel Eccles of High Point, North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Avalyn Worley and Vincent Daniel Noa; brother-in-law, Ron (Brenda) McGavisk of Lake Wales, Florida; a niece, Leslie (Dean) Vaught of North Las Vegas, Nevada; a nephew, David (Gretel) Ducote of Hermosillo, Mexico; and his lifetime best friend Billy Buzzard.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bridge; mother, Ethel Hohl; step-father, Edwin (Moe) Hohl; sister, Barbara Ducote; grandson, Daniel L. Schell IV and mother-in-law, Katie Anna McGavisk. 

     Calling hours will be Thursday, July 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville. 

     A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

     Burial with full military honors will be in Southside Cemetery in Shermansville. 

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any military organization of the donor’s choice. 

     Please share a condolence or memory of Richard for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.

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