Larry Lee Bridges was born in Seattle, Washington to Colonel Buford “Flip” Forrest Bridges & Theda Bell (Newberry) Bridges. He suddenly, but peacefully, passed away in his sleep on August 5th, 2024, at the ripe old age of 80.

He is loved and missed by his two doting daughters, Bonnie Lynn Bridges & Elizabeth Anne Bridges, his wife of 45 years, Penny (Smith) Bridges, & his son, Larry Junior. He also leaves behind his adoring granddaughters, Hannah Grace Valpatic & Abigail Grace Valpatic, his older brother, Ronald “Ron” (Vicki) Bridges, their children, & a dozen life-long friends of his daughters who hold a soft spot for Larry.

Larry proudly served our country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (Oorah!) where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (1st & 2nd Award), the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge M-14, the Vietnamese Service Medal (1st Award), the National Defense Service Medal, & the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (1st Award).

Larry loved fishing, Michael Jackson, watching Bonnie perform, every animal he ever met, eating prime rib, making photo collages, roller skating, archery, making extensive Halloween yard displays & intricate Christmas villages, metal detecting, spending summers at his grandmother’s cotton plantation, road trips, snorkeling in Vietnam, working with Elizabeth on her house, coaching youth bowling, chit chatting with strangers while sharing a smoke, woodworking, watching golf on television, & dedicating his life to helping anyone, with anything, whenever he had the chance. Larry was a true friend to all.

A Military Honors Service will be held at 12:15 pm on Friday, September 20th, 2024, at the South Florida National Cemetery, located at 6501 S. State Road 7, Wellington, FL 33449. A Celebration of Life will follow at his daughter Elizabeth’s home. The family requests the time be spent informally sharing fond & humorous memories while enjoying some red meat & toasting to Larry. All are welcome at both events.