James Toxey Bridges died, 82, on March 6, 2019. James was born in
Prentiss to James Clarence and Thelma Stewart Bridges and was the
oldest of eight children.
He was the 5th generation of Bridges in the Whitesand area and grew up
with no electricity or running water and worked the family farm with
mules before modern technology arrived.
He was the first of his family to graduate from high school and spent
many of those first years working on oil-rigs as a welder and pipe
fitter while in the National Guard as well.
He moved to Michigan in 1965 where he met his wife of 52 years, Carol
Schuette. James worked for Bechtel as a construction superintendent
moving around quite a bit before settling back into Midland, Michigan
in 1983.
He then opened his own construction company and had a long career in
building and selling homes. After retirement, he decided to get that
college degree that always eluded him and in 2010, he received a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Northwood University.
James had four children, Keith (Janice), Todd (Monica), Toby (Sheila)
and Traci Bridges; eight grandchildren, Jessica (Zack Jackson),
Brianna, Courtney, Carsten, Anna, Rachel, Grady, Mason; and two great
grandchildren,  Finley and Princeton.
James was predeceased by his parents; son, Keith; and three brothers,
Kenny, Billy and Larry. In addition to his wife Carol, he is survived
by his brother, E.S; and sisters Wanda, Nel and Judy.
James was a kind and generous man who always cherished the time he
spent with family and friends especially his trips back home to
Prentiss.