Mr. Harry DuWayne Bridges, Sr., 79, of Valley, AL, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm EST on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL, with Rev. Dr. H. DuWayne Bridges, Jr. officiating. A private interment with military honors will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery in Ft Mitchell, AL. The family will receive friends on Wednesday morning from 10:00 am EST until 12:00 p.m. EST, two hours before the service, at the funeral home.
Mr. Bridges was born June 10, 1946 in Shawnee, OK, son of the late Clem Millard Bridges and Maxine Steel Bridges. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam. After his tenure in the military, he along with his family, owned and operated Bridges Boot Outlet and Bridges Truckstop in Cusseta, AL for 50 years. Mr. Bridges had a servant’s heart and demonstrated that through the numerous positions he held both locally and at the state level. He served locally as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Valley Haven School, where he supported Hike and Bike for over 20 years, Board Member of Intercel Corporation, Board Member of Colonial Bank and a Board Member of East Alabama Hospital in Valley, AL. At the state level, Mr. Bridges served as a State Representative for 14 years, a member of the Governor’s Economic Development Board, Chairman of the Mental Health and Retardation Board and Chairman of the Veteran Affairs Commission of Alabama. Additionally, Mr. Bridges served as the National Director of Travel Plaza Operators, a Giddeon for 18 years and was a Member of the American Legion and the Marine Corp League.
Mr. Bridges was a man of faith and a long time member of the Assembly of God Church. Although he accomplished many things in his life, he remained a very humble and caring man. He loved the time he spent with his family and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Alexander, Fran Wood and Janet Hunt; and two brothers, Larry Wayne Bridges and Lester David Stroud.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia Rawls Bridges; a daughter, Karen Marie Bridges; a son, Rev. Dr. H. DuWayne Bridges, Jr. and wife Jordaina; sisters, Gwen Davis and Teresa Collins; grandchildren, Leslie Knueven (Nathan), David Herrington Bridges (Allie), Daniel Herrington Bridges, Richard David Bridges (Scarlett), Michael Bridges, Andrew Bridges (Ruby), Lauren Godwin (Bryson), Carmen Bridges and Gabriel Bridges; great-grandchildren, Levi, Luke and John; several nieces, nephews, extended family and many caring friends.
To leave condolences online, visit www.vancebrooksfuneralhome.net
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