SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 136
In Memory
of
Preston Ray Bridges
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Preston Ray Bridges of Quitman on November 21, 2018,
at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, The son of H. L. and Annice Bridges, Preston
Bridges was born in Forest Hill on September 8, 1938; his mother
died when he was five months old, and his siblings, J. C.,
Clarence, Les, Aline, Minnie Lee, Louise, and Marie, helped raise
their younger brother on the family farm; learning the value of
hard work from his father, he graduated from Quitman High School
in 1957 and attended Paris Junior College and Arlington State
University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bridges wed Barbara Medlin on October 31,
1958, and the couple shared a rewarding marriage of 60 years;
they became the proud parents of a son, Rocky, and their
treasured family later grew to include two grandsons, Colby and
Kyle; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Bridges
joined the United States Army in 1961; he was deployed to Bad
Kreuznach, Germany, and assigned to the adjutant general's
office, and he eventually received the Army Commendation
Medal; and
WHEREAS, Returning to the United States in 1964,
Mr. Bridges embarked on a career with Texas Instruments that
would span two decades; in 1973, he and his family moved to
Quitman, where he went on to serve as executive vice president of
Wood County National Bank and to retire following a 19-year
tenure; engaged in his community, Mr. Bridges was active with the
Quitman Youth Foundation, and he was a member of the Quitman
Independent School District Board of Trustees; he also held
leadership roles with the Quitman Chamber of Commerce, the Wood
County Farm Bureau, and the Wood County Junior Livestock Show,
and he served his congregation as a deacon at Faith Baptist
Church; and
WHEREAS, Although Preston Bridges is deeply missed,
memories of his devotion to his family, his faith, and his
community remain to comfort and inspire those he leaves behind;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Preston Ray
Bridges and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Preston Ray Bridges.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 7, 2019, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate