Donald Gerald Bridges

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Donald Gerald Bridges, 75, of Leachville, died Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Born in Leachville, he was the son of the late John and Innis Owens Bridges and had lived most of his life in the Leachville and Monette areas. A 1957 graduate of Monette High School, he later served in the Army National Guard, and was of the Baptist Faith. As a young man, Donnie was an outstanding athlete, excelling in baseball, and was invited to the Boston Red Sox training camp. He lived for several years in Rock Falls, Illinois, where he retired as a supervisor for Northwestern Steel and Wire. Donnie was an avid fisherman, and following his retirement, he returned to northeast Arkansas and spent much of his time fishing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pat Martin Bridges.

Survivors include, one sister, Carolyn Bridges of Leachville;

One niece, Natalie Burrow;

A great-niece, Deven Burrow;

A great-nephew, Dillon Burrow;

His daughter, Karen Hagen of Oak Island, North Carolina; and

Two granddaughters, Erin Hagen and Lindsay Parker.

A graveside funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Leachville Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Reed officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville. The family will receive visitors from 12:30 p.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

A guest register is at www.howardfuneralservice.com.