David Rex Bridgmon was born in McCook, Nebraska on April 4, 1949, to Donald Dwight and Ruth Ellen (Brandt) Bridgmon. He graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1967. He furthered his education in Denver, Colorado for two years before being drafted into the United States Army on August 26, 1969. David served in Vietnam. At the time of his honorable discharge in 1971, he had attained the rank of Sergeant and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, the Army Commendation Medal, and a Bronze Star Medal.
David returned to civilian life and lived in San Diego, California, where he continued his education and drove a taxi for many years. David called Denver, Colorado home for most of his life where he was employed by United Airlines and worked mostly at Denver International Airport. After his retirement, David returned to McCook where he could be closer to family.
David
enjoyed watching sports on TV and was a big Nebraska Cornhusker fan. He
was active on his computer and was a regular at the McCook YMCA. David
enjoyed fishing and spent countless hours at Barnett Park.
Like
so many who served in Southeast Asia, David came home a changed man.
He never liked to talk about his time in the military, but the emotional
scars were visible to those around him. On Thursday morning, January
4, 2023, David passed away at Community Hospital in McCook and is now at
peace. He was 73 years of age.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Lynda Bridgmon; and brothers-in-law, Ron Clark and Walter Fortin.
Survivors include his sisters, Donna Fortin of Oberlin, Kansas and Diane Clark of McCook; nieces and nephews: Marla (Leland) Kehler of Loveland, Colorado, Melissa (Dan) Nelson of Syracuse, Nebraska, Ryan (Janene) Fortin of Oberlin, Darin (Cari) Callan of Axtell, Nebraska, Derick (Tracy) Callan of Portland, Oregon, and Dan (Carrie) Callan of Kearney, Nebraska; as well as great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday
morning, January 13, 2023, at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook
with Terry McCorkle officiating. Inurnment with military honors will
follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.
Memorials are
suggested to the family of David Bridgmon for future designation.
Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have
been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.