John Henry Bridges

John Henry Bridges, age 82, passed into God's hands peacefully at his home on April 2. 2007. John was born in Athens, GA on July 30, 1924. He graduated from Athens High School and joined the Navy in 1942 where he served for 3 years. He returned to Athens and attended the University of GA and received a BA degree. In 1948, John received a commission in the US Air Force and was called to active duty in May, 1951, as a Lt. where he served 2 years in Korea. After returning home, he moved to Atlanta and attended Ga. State University and studied accounting. He was an auditor for Travelers Insurance Company for 16 1/2 years in Richmond, VA and Atlanta. He was an auditor for 27 years for the State of GA until he retired in Oct. 1990. He officiated youth football, baseball and high school football throughout metro Atlanta for years. He was a founding member of the AAFOA -Atlanta Area Football Officials Association. He was an active member and board member of 49 years in his beloved church, University Heights United Methodist Church. He was a loving loyal husband, father and grandfather. His passions in life were his family, fishing, sports and most of all being a Christian. John leaves behind an example of what God expects of Christians. It was his belief that we should live each day as if we knew it was our last day on earth and treat others as we would want to be treated. He has been an inspiration to everyone who has had the privilege and opportunity to know him. John is gone but the example he set for us will live on forever. He is survived by his life long soul mate, his wife of 53 years, Helen Powers Bridges; his son, John Andrew Bridges of Smyrna, GA; his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Scott Lacefield of Smyrna, GA; grandchildren, Wesley and Frances Lacefield; and his sisters, Helen Bridges and Joanna Burton of Athens, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Mary Bridges; and sisters, Mary Alice Morton and Ruth Mann of Athens, GA. The service will be held Thursday, April 5th at 11:00 AM in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA, 30033, 404-292-1551. Graveside service will follow at 3:30 PM at Wisteria Cemetery in Union Point, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of John Bridges to University Heights United Methodist Church, 1267 Balsam Dr., Decatur, GA 30033. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 AM Thursday at A. S. Turner & Sons.