Perry L. Bridges

Perry Lynfield "Bam" Bridges, 87, of Bogart, Ga., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.

Mr. Bridges was born in Blakely to the late John Oscar and Caroline Ward Blackshear Bridges. He made his home in Athens since 1997. He was a U.S. Army Combat Medic, ETO, WWII, during which he received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He attended North Georgia College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Mr. Bridges was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he received his BS and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He received his master's from Troy State University. He was employed for many years with the Early County Health Department and retired as district director of environmental services, Georgia Department of Human Resources. In 1980, he was named Sanitarian of the Year for the State of Georgia. Following his retirement, he served as public relations director for Early Memorial Hospital and was an active farmer. Mr. Bridges served in many civic organizations including, past president of the Blakely Lions Club, past president of the Blakely Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and past president of the Blakely- Early County Chamber of Commerce. He was a Mason and Shriner. Mr. Bridges was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Blakely where he served as choir director for several years, taught the businessmen's Bible study class for over 25 years and was a deacon for a number of years and served as chairman. He later joined Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Blakely where he was a lay reader. After moving to Athens, he became a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Forrester Bridges; one daughter, Patricia Bridges Massey and husband Sam of Athens; two sons, Col. (Ret.) Perry Lynfield Bridges Jr. and wife Terry of Troy, Penn., and Col. (Ret.) Clay Forrester Bridges (Laurence) of Ankara, Turkey; nine grandchildren, Samuel Edwin Massey, Jr., Patricia Lynfield Massey, James Ross Massey, Margaret Elizabeth Massey, Robert Forrester Bridges, Caroline Ashley Bridges, Taylor Kendall Bridges, Allison Gaynor Bridges and Amy Elizabeth Bridges.

Memorial services are Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, at 3 p.m. at St. Mary's Highland Hills Village.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home West is in charge of arrangements.