Milford E. "Mel" Bridges, age 85, Neosho, passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at his home in Neosho.
Mel was born August 22, 1933 in Strafford, Missouri, son of the late Charles Edwin "Jim" Bridges and Pansy Tracy Bridges. He attended school at Fair Grove, Missouri, and later Doling Elementary before graduated from Central High School in Springfield. He played professional baseball as a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinal Farm Club playing in Matoon, Illinois, and Paducah, Kentucky. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and then earned his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, graduating in 1959.
He married Betty Lavelle Higgs at New Hope Baptist Church in Barry County in 1960. They had two daughters, Gail and Susan. He worked for Springday Company, a division of Dayton Rubber, in Springfield, and was an agent with MFA Insurance (Shelter Insurance). In 1964 he moved to Joplin to begin his career with Eagle Picher Industries at Precision Products Plant as an Engineer. He retired from there as an Executive Vice President in 1996. After his retirement, he moved to rural Purdy, Missouri where he enjoyed cattle farming. He moved to Neosho in 2000.
In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Gene Bridges of Springfield, and a sister, Darlene Godsy of Mountain View, Missouri.
Mel is survived by his daughters, Gail Powers and husband Craig of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Susan Hart and husband Jesse of Wildwood, Missouri; grandchildren, Eric Powers, Lauren Gilleran and husband Dale, and Mya Barnes; niece, Deborah Wallace, and two nephews, Mark Bridges and Dean Godsy; and his long time friend and companion, Dollie Hall and her family of Neosho.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Phillip McClendon officiating.
Graveside service will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. in Bass Chapel Cemetery, Strafford, Missouri, with family serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
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