James Bridges

James (Jim, Jimbo) Matthew Bridges passed away into the loving arms of heavenly family and our Father in Heaven. He was taken away suddenly on Tuesday, July 19th at 6:30pm from a pulmonary embolism and heart failure. In 2017, he was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (a blood clotting disorder) and unbeknownst to him he was making clots already. This condition was a factor that contributed to his decline in health.

Jim was born July 12, 1979, to David Kevin and Teena Bridges. He came into this world a huge nearly 10lb brown bear that we would later name our big brown Jim bear. He was always a “larger than life” human being that would do anything for anyone. Many of his friends would say “he is my best friend” or “he has the hugest heart.” Indeed, he did have a heart of gold and cared deeply for those around him. It is difficult to summarize his beautiful soul and life, then reduce it to a few paragraphs. Jim was a man who loved life and people. He had a beautiful smile and his laugh was extremely infectious. He had a gift for helping people laugh until they cried and their stomachs hurt. He was very outgoing and friendly to all.

Jim served a mission in the Tulsa Oklahoma mission under President Ingebretsen. He met Kristi whom he would later marry. They have two beautiful children Aubrie and Cory who were truly the love of Jim’s life. He struggled after his divorce, especially coping with the difficulties of his children not being near him daily. While married, Jim worked, coached Cory in football and baseball, supported Aubrie with dance, and loved to go to church with his family and play with his children. He took care of the children at home as soon as he was done with work and all through the weekends. He was a fully engaged dad. He was adored by the many kids he coached, as well as their parents.
Jim was the first in the family to start fly fishing and was mostly a self-taught fly fisherman. His love of fly fishing was shared with many people and thus he introduced them to one of their greatest loves and passions in life. Jim was an excellent and very knowledgeable fly fisher and as they say “just a super 'FISHY' guy.” He loved to share his knowledge of the great outdoors and fly fishing. He tied his own flies and shared them as well. He helped MANY people learn to fly fish, including his brothers David and Spence and his son Cory. In his early years he and his cousin Robert Wood enjoyed the streams and mountains in Idaho and Montana, biking to their favorite fishing holes. His great friend Matt Mortensen became a successful, full-time fly fishing guide in Montana. His best friends Dave, Spence, Cory Bridges and Libby Berg enjoyed taking him fishing in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana to slow the pace of life. We pray these times they shared will give them solace in the coming months and years.

When he was young, Jim was a relentless tease and enjoyed tricking his younger sister Jodi Bridges Pitchforth. All through life, he was a prankster and a practical joker, and many people found themselves on the receiving end of a good practical joke. He loved puns, one-liners, funny movie quotes and a good joke. Many would agree Jim had the “gift of gab.” If things weren’t moving fast enough or were boring he would pick up the pace and be the clown. He could comfort with his gentle word as well.

Jim was well known for his encyclopedic memory, especially regarding all things hunting and fishing. He absolutely loved being in the mountains. Jim enjoyed the fruits of his bow hunting expertise. He was an excellent marksman. He had a vast knowledge of hunting and was an excellent deer and elk hunter. He shared many moments in the beautiful mountains of Utah with his father Kevin, son Cory, brothers David and Spencer, sister-in-law Libby Berg, as well as their hunting partner and friend Johnny Hardy. He loved being a lifetime member of the Beehive Wasatch Bow Hunters club and was well liked by the members. He loved sports and was a huge Oklahoma Sooners football fan.
Those who knew Jim through Gods Love Shelter in Helena, Montana loved him. He healed many wounds through his time and word. He had many conversations there about his commitment to faith and love of the Gospel. Dave wrote a tribute to his brother many years ago, it is fitting to recite; “Thank the Lord, thank you Lord, for my brother Jim. He may not know, I'm his biggest fan. My brother is the truest man.”
Jim's son, Cory, put it so well...”WE'LL NEVER FORGET HIM”.
Jim is survived by his two children Aubrie and Cory, his parents Kevin and Teena, his brothers David and Spencer, his sister Jodi, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Funeral Services:

Cottonwood Creek Ward
1250 E. 4800 S. Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Viewing: 10:00am – 10:45am
Family Prayer: 10:45am
Service: 11:00 am Chapel
Interment to follow:
Elysian Burial Gardens 1075 E 4580 S Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Family and immediate friends are invited to meet at Cottonwood Creek Ward for a luncheon and rest.