Ralph Edwin Bridges

Ralph Edwin Bridges, age 75, of Biloxi, died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in Gulfport. Mr. Bridges was born in Cleveland County, NC and had been a resident of the Coast since 1975. He was a member of Coalville United Methodist Church. He retired as MSgt in the U. S. Air Force in 1975 after 20 years of service and also retired as a civil engineer in Civil service at Keesler AFB. He was an avid golfer and member of Sunkist Country Club. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; parents, Durham F. Bridges and Mary Hardin Bridges; a son, Thomas Edward Bridges; sister, Margie Kitchen; and two brothers, Thomas T. Bridges and William Bridges. Mr. Bridges is survived by his wife, Linda S. Edwards Bridges of Biloxi; a daughter, Vicky Lynn Vanderford of Biloxi; two step-daughters, Sundi (Damon) Fortenberry of Mandeville, LA and Christina Sekul Woods of Biloxi; two sons, Michael Delane (Sandra) Bridges of Washington D.C. and Dale Edwin Bridges of Gulfport; a step-son, John E. (Cheryl) Gatlin, Jr. of Biloxi; a brother, David Bridges of Warner Robins, GA; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Monday, April 9, 2012 from 6 until 8:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Tuesday April 10, 2012 at10:30 a.m. at Coalville United Methodist Church where friends may visit beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Coalville Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force. The family prefers memorials to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5, 2600 23rd Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 15489 Dedeaux Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503, or Coalville United Methodist Church, 12298 Shorecrest Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532 View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com