Ray Bridger (4-1-12)

GAINESVILLE - Ray E. Bridger, 80, entered his Heavenly Home on Sunday, April 1, 2012, surrounded by family, following an extended illness.

He was born July 22, 1931, the son of the late Hubert and Annie Mae Bridger of Jonesboro, Ariz. He was the owner of Bridger Insurance and Real Estate until his retirement in 1994. Ray was a member of North Metro First Baptist Church and a previous member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ray L. Bridger; and brother, Jack Bridger.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Alice Croom Bridger; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Marianne Bridger, Hoschton; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Larry Garmon, Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Hettie Bridger, Roanoke, Va.; four grandsons; two great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, from the Tucker Chapel of Bill Head Funeral Home with interment following at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. The body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home. Frank Cox will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033, www.cancer.org, or to North Metro First Baptist Church, 1026 Old Peachtree Road Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.