Kenny Joe Bridges

65 years ago on August 13, 1960 Kenny was born in Enid, OK. 7 years ago on February 13, 2018, following a 6 week cancer battle, he died in Littleton, CO at the age of 57. This brief account of his life is being published on his birthday since there was no obituary written at the time of his passing and his family would like to honor him in this way now.

Kenny was born to Joe and Arthia Bridges in Enid and moved shortly after to Oklahoma City, OK. On January 12, 1975 Kenny met and put his trust in his Lord, Jesus Christ. He graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1978 and married Susan Walker in 1982. After meeting in 5th grade, they became long time friends before dating in high school. Together they welcomed three dear children to their family; Crista in 1985, Jenna Blaire in 1988 and Doug in 1990.

In 1990 he went to work for The Gates Corporation, starting in the field in OK and three years in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX before being promoted to the corporate office in Denver, CO in 1996. Kenny was named National Sales Director of Heavy Duty and Buying Groups mere weeks before his diagnosis. He was a valued employee for 28 years and loved his Gates family.

Kenny also loved his Calvary Englewood church family. He served eagerly in many capacities; cooking breakfast for and directing men's ministry, hosting small groups in the home, mentoring young married couples, supporting pastors and most valued by Kenny was the opportunity to teach a group of young boys and, eventually the girls too, and pour into their lives. His walk with the Lord grew tremendously there.

Kenny's love for his family was evidenced by faithful devotion and provision through hard work and humility. There was never a need for a "honey do" list because he stayed on top of things. He loved his family by doing! He kept all of our cars running, rarely needing an outside mechanic. He kept our home, inside and out, in good condition repairing and remodeling whenever needed. He was a master at figuring out how to do anything. He enjoyed keeping a nice lawn and smoking salmon and other good food so that many meals were enjoyed in the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

As a boy Kenny took up golf with his dad and enjoyed the game throughout his life with friends, colleagues and mostly with his son and sons-in-law. Time in the mountains was a treasured gift of living in Colorado. Skiing, fly-fishing, hiking, biking and an occasional hunting trip were favorites along with many trips to the Y of the Rockies in Estes Park with family and friends. Though Kenny was a lifelong OU Sooners fan, he proudly donned the black and orange when his son enrolled at OSU. He enjoyed all Colorado sporting events and enjoyed helping coach Doug's baseball teams.

He was particularly proud to have all his children earn college degrees - an accomplishment he regretted not completing himself. Of all earthly treasure, it is safe to say there was nothing he enjoyed quite like he enjoyed his granddaughter, Liv and for five short months, Gunnar. Oh how he would have loved them all now!

At the time of Kenny's death, Kenny was survived by his wife of 35 years, Sue Bridges, daughters Crista Jaeggli and husband Mark, Jenna Blaire Denneny and husband Eric and son Doug Bridges, grandchildren Olivia and Gunnar Jaeggli, mother Arthia Bridges, sister Vickie Busick and husband Mark, father-in-law Jerry Walker and his wife Reta (both since deceased), brothers-in-law Ron Walker, Mark Walker and partner Jeffrey Meek, Gordon Walker and wife Beverly and many nieces and nephews and other loved ones. Since leaving us, Kenny's legacy has grown to include Doug's wife, Courtney and five more grandchildren, Violet Jaeggli and Breck, Dreamer, Quinn and Pearl Denneny and, Lord willing, more to come. He was preceded in death by his father Joe Bridges and his mother-in-law Joan Walker.

Kenny's mantra in his final days was "This is the life". We are convinced that he said it in anticipation of his life in heaven where there is no more sin, pain or suffering. In the meantime, life here is forever changed without our Kenny and we look forward to being reunited with him some glad day and proclaiming with him, "THIS is the life"!