Obituary of Fredrick Earnest Bridge

Fredrick Earnest Bridge was born July 15, 1949 in Vancouver, WA to Richard and Frances Prew Bridge and died at his home in Washougal on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. He was 65 years old. He was known as Ernie to his family and Fred to his friends. Fred served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam as a radioman. When he came home from Vietnam he worked as a welder in the Portland shipyards, then at Frito Lay and finally at the paper mill in Camas where he retired in 2007 after working there 24 years. Fred loved to hunt and fish and was an experienced diver. After he retired, his favorite hobby was working on his 1966 GTO. He loved to go over to PIR on Wednesday evenings in the summer to “talk cars” with other car enthusiasts. Even in September, when his health was failing, he went to Long Beach for one final rod run. The sound of engines roaring had him grinning from ear to ear all day long. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Jr. Fred is survived by his wife, Tami, Washougal; his son Fred Jr and Kathy, Laurel, Montana; his daughter Jessica & Pete Cringan, Greenville, North Carolina; his stepsons Jeremy and Emily Smith; Chris & Kelli Flores and Nick & Denise Flores all of Vancouver, WA; and Ben Flores, Camas, WA; his grand kids Kameron & Pythagoras Cringan, Ashly & Cloe Melin, Tamara & Taryn Smith, Cody, Rachael & Dylan Eisenhart, Ava & Ali Flores. Fred is also survived by sister Patricia; brother Henry & Cindy Bridge; his 2nd Mom, Auntie Betty Prew, Battle Ground, WA; his mother-in-law Shari Bruun, Camas, WA; his brother-in-laws Greg & Carolyn Bruun, Audubon, IA and Troy & Kristie Bruun, Wichita, Kansas; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Abby. Fred requested no service. Arrangements are under the care of Brown’s Funeral Home. There will be a private family gathering at a later date. To leave a condolence or to sign the online guestbook please go to www.brownsfh.com