Hugh Frank Bridges

The Lion of Tribe Bridges, Hugh Frank Bridges, Jr. was called home to Our Lord on Sunday, July 28, 2024, after a long battle with dementia and diabetes. His faithful and fearless Christian life began on January 28, 1937, in Chicago, IL. The firstborn son of seven children born to Hugh F. Bridges Sr. and Reverend Eloise Frances. He was an amazing big brother and son, learning the life skills of loving God, commitment to work and family, and fixing anything broken. Lions need to roam and find their own territory, so he joined the Air Force in 1955 where he learned aircraft maintenance skills and rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant. He met and married hi lioness, Flora Edwards, in September 1955 and they spawned nurtured five cubs, traveling the world before retiring in 1976 to Ft. Walton Beach, FL. He continued working, retiring from the Florida School system in Grounds Maintenance and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio as a Janitor and Dance Partner. He furthered his education with an Associate's Degree in Business and a Masonry certification from FWB Vocational Technical School.
Daddy Lion loved to wander-he was very social in Ft Walton organizations, activities, and events. As Past Master, Joppa Lodge #7 he actively participated in events that helped those in need in his community. His great love was the church and church choir, though. No matter where stationed, every Sunday, the tribe attended church, and Daddy sang in the choir. He was a member at Eglin AFB Chapel for many years, then joined Gregg AME Chapel until his homegoing. He enthusiastically enjoyed playing the organ for his Pride and was a distinguished ballroom dancer and loved jazz music. He was an athletic individual and taught his cubs to swim, play base/softball, run, and just to love competitive sports and games-we always had a "team" :-). He really appreciated a good home-cooked meal, and enthusiastically ate what he loved. He wasn't the lion who ate and then went to sleep, no, he roamed to find more food-with a sweet tooth his entire life (without the pounds to prove it) he had dessert daily; Donuts (Krispy Kreme & Donut Hole) were a favorite, then banana pudding and always ice cream! Cooks loved his joyful smile as he ate their meals, and always told us cubs, take a plate back for your daddy, too.
He was widowed in 2016 after 61 years of marriage. The Pride had expanded to gr-gr-gr-grand cubs, and all pitched in to ensure he didn't get depressed. Adventures began anew-Disneyland, Jazz festivals, Senior Citizen Center of Niceville, Proms, parties, activities, and numerous visits to Givan-Moultry (wife's family) reunions. Alas, the lion's roar became a purr, and his wanderings were accompanied with at least one cub with his, as his mind started to lay aside its many worldly weights and became frail-the white mane stayed full though and the fangs were sharp as ever. His appetite for good food and desire to travel didn't wane either. But the Big cat naps increased until he padded, silently, on those stealthy cat's paws peacefully to his eternal reward.
Hugh is survived by three siblings- Clarence (Ethel), Patti DeBonnett and Sharon Grant (Albert). Five Children Arlington (Antoinette), Debra Benjamin (Freddie), Renee Bridges, Beverlee Hart, and Denis Hamilton (Patrick). Six Grandchildren-Jeffrey, Nicole, Nikkina, Monique (Huey), Dominic, Jazmine (Chris). 8 Grandchildren-Duent'e, Cardedra, Tramayah, Ezekiel, Huey III, Flora, Lily, Leah and Aaron. And 4 great-great-grandchildren-Imani, Jayden, Cadence, and Samson.
Gretting him in Heaven is His Lord and King, Jesus Christ, his parents, Hugh Sr. and Eloise, siblings Richard, Harold, Rosalee Roberts and Lucille May, and loving and beautiful lioness Flora.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday August 8th, 2024 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home 161 Racetrack Rd NW in Fort Walton Beach FL at 6 pm.
The interment will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery Friday August 9th in Pensacola FL at 11 am.
All of us "cubs" in the Pride would like to extend our gratitude and much-appreciated thoughtfulness to Joppa Lodge #7 brothers, Gregg Chapel choir and members, Mr. Tarpley (TC) Clay, Dennis "Coach" Walker, his Care Providers, and medical personnel who attended to his health needs, the catering staff of Bamboo's Jamaican restaurant and to all those who befriended and loved our "Daddy Lion". Grace & Peace to you all A live stream of the services may be viewed here
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Hugh Frank (Jr.) Bridges, please visit our floral store.