Dick Bridgford

Richard B. Dick Bridgford, 92, of Mexico, died at 10:37 p.m. on Apr. 27, 2007, at Pin Oaks Nursing Center in Mexico.

Dick was born on Sept. 30, 1914, in Paris, a son of Robert Monroe and Mary Elizabeth (Beam) Bridgford. He was a graduate of Paris High School with the class of 1932. On Nov. 2, 1940, in Mexico, he married Maxine Adkins who preceded him in death on May 3, 1992.

Mr. Bridgford spent 37 years with the Mexico and Kaiser Refractories where he was superintendent of mining. He later worked for Columbia Brick and Tile until his retirement in 1977.

Survivors include one son, John Bridgford and his wife Toni, Joplin; one daughter, Janet Edwards and her husband Charles M., Joplin;four grandchildren, Derek and Peter Edwards, and Bryan and Annie Bridgford, all of Joplin; andthree great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death bythree sisters, Ruby Young, Ruth Norfleet and Helen Bridgford.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 30, 2007, at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Kukuk officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 1 until service time. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. His family will also receive friends following the burial at the First Presbyterian Church in the Activities Hall.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rick Rice, Bruce Oliver, Jim Atkinson, Jim Inlow, Barry Azdell and Lyndal Barker. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob McIntosh, Walter Goslin, Bob Gordonand Will Wegener.

Memorials may be given to the Robert Collins Scholarship Fund or to the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.