Obituaries

Charles N. Bridges

Photo of Charles N. Bridges
Charles N. Bridges, 91, of Bryant, Arkansas, formerly of Little Rock, died Thursday, May 31, 2018, in Bryant. He was born October 23, 1926, in Little Rock, son of the late John and Francis Morrell (McCallister) Bridges. He was also preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Neoma Bridges and a great grandson. Chuck was raised on a small farm just west of Little Rock. After the US entered World War II he joined the Navy in 1942 at age sixteen. During his six year enlistment he served on many Navy ships and traveled all over the world. Most notably; San Francisco, Boston, Pearl Harbor, Shanghai, Okinawa, Philippines, Cuba, Midway Island, et al. He served on many different types of ships, but his most memorable war-time experiences were on aircraft carriers. He was on the newly built carrier, the USS Hancock when it left the Boston shipyard. The Hancock went through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor then to the Battle of Midway where the USS Saratoga was sank; the first aircraft carrier sank in World War II. The Hancock was a very successful warship; sinking 21 enemy ships and downing 371 enemy planes. Later Chuck was serving on the USS Franklin when it was attacked by Japanese bombers; over 1,600 sailors were killed in the attack and the crippled ship was towed to New York for repairs. He was again assigned to the Hancock where he went to Shanghai, Tokyo and the Philippines. The Hancock was his last ship assignment but it was also badly damaged in attacks where several hundred lost their lives. After the war ended, he finished his Navy service in Cuba and Gulfport. Chuck has many medals awarded for his World War II service, but the most notable are the seven Battle Star Medals. These are awarded for "bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service" while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. After the war, Chuck came back to Little Rock where he started work in the grocery business. In earlier years he worked for various stores, but most of his time was spent with Safeway Stores from which he retired with over forty years' service. In younger days Chuck liked to boat and camp with his family mostly on Lake Ouachita. He also has been an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to hang out at the camp or boat dock with his buddies and share "folklore" about how good it used to be. In addition, he is a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Magnolia Lodge, having served as "Past Master" and was a mason since 1960. He is survived by his children, Marilyn Wilson and husband Larry of Bryant; Charles D. Bridges of Little Rock; Wayne Bridges and wife Trish of Haskell; grandchildren, Sean Bridges, Gina Duarte, Lesley Bridges, Lorey Riblet, Ben Wilson, Carrie Wilson Tim Croft and T.J. Croft; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Corben, Emma Grace, Hunter, Aria, Kaylee, Kathleen, Kaleb, Gavin, Lex, and one great great-grandson, Daniel, as well as a number of nephews and nieces. Graveside service will be 10:00am Monday, June 4, 2018, at Walnut Grove Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Military burial honors. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm, at Community Park Church, 4630 South Shobe Road, Bryant, Arkansas 72022, with Bro. Bert Brown officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, Little Rock. Please share your messages of love, comfort and support with Charles' family at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

Published June 3, 2018

Upcoming Events