Coy Ray Bridges

Coy Ray Bridges, age 90, of Springfield, Oregon, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Ray was born in Jerusalem, Arkansas to Rolland and Alice Bridges. He grew up working on their family farm with his four siblings. Because Ray’s help was required working on the farm, he only attended school through the 8th grade. In 1947 Ray married Irene Bridges. He traveled to Washington to pick apples then returned to Arkansas due to his Mother, Alice’s, fight with cancer. Upon her passing he moved to O’brien, Oregon. Irene followed with their two son’s Steven and Hershal while pregnant with Kay. They all lived in a tent until a rental home was found. Ray worked for his brother-in-law, who ran a small family sawmill. Ray worked for Lew Krause at the Rough & Ready Lumber mill near O’Brien for several years. He quit there and with his brother, Alford Bridges, began contract logging at Happy Camp in Northern California. The family lived in and around Cave Junction before moving to Junction City in the summer of 1961 and then to Springfield in 1962, settling in Eugene in 1964. The marriage to Irene ended in 1967. Ray worked for Aaron Jones at Seneca Sawmills mostly as a trimmer-man from 1962 to 1974. Ray started a lifelong friendship with Joan Stotts and her son Jim, who were welcomed into the family unit. Ray moved to Alaska working on the Pipeline at Pedro Bay for several years. He then began mining, his true passion in life, with Lyle Eddington and his brother Alford. When Alford’s health began to fail, they moved to Arkansas, living on the homestead where he grew up in the Ozark National forest. When his Aunt, Oma Collie’s, health began to fail, he took care of her and his Uncle Theo Collie. Oma passed away, then Theo, then his sister, Nellie Campbell and eventually his brother Alford. Ray had inherited a small home in Hattieville, Arkansas. Living there for ten years. In 2006 Ray’s health began to fail he then moved to Oregon living with his daughter, Kay Davis. In April 2017 Ray fell breaking his hip, requiring him to live at Emerald Valley Assisted Living. During March 2018 he fell again fracturing his pelvis requiring him to reside at the Marquis Care Facility in Springfield. Ray appreciated all the love, support and care he received from his daughter-in-law, Ellen Bridges, Emerald Valley Assisted Living and Marquis Care throughout his decline. Ray enjoyed visiting his family, relatives, telling stories, playing his harmonica, board games, reading his bible, hunting, fishing, attending church and dreaming of winning big at the casino’s or mining for gold. Survivors include his brother Wayne Bridges; his three sons; Steve, Hershal, and Stan, two daughters; Kay and Joy, nine grandchildren; Austin, Krista, Lara, Sherri, Coy, Melissa, Brandy, Frank, Sierra and ten great grandchildren; Alek, Keelie, Brady, Parker, Callie, Jackie, Taylor, Layla, Casey, Benjamin. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February, 16 at the Genesis Community Church, 1020 Janus St., Springfield, Oregon. Elder, Steve Houser, presiding. Graveside service will be held on 11:00 a.m., February, 23 at Zion Hill Cemetery, Rainey Lane near Crabtree, Arkansas. Local arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. In lieu of flowers please contribute to Salvation Army at this web address; https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/givebycheck.

Coy Ray Bridges

August 13, 1928 - February 6, 2019