Daniel W. Bridges, Jr, of Panama City Beach, passed away April 21, 2021.  Dan was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 2, 1939 to Daniel W. Bridges, Sr. and Marguerite White Bridges.

Dan was a graduate of Hampton High School, Hampton, Virginia where he played varsity football for the Hampton "Crabbers". He went on to attend Duke University on a football scholarship. He majored in Chemistry, was in ROTC, lettered in football, and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He had the honor of participating in the 1961 Cotton Bowl in which Duke won the National Championship.

Dan's passion in life was flying.  He proudly served his country as a Captain (1963 – 1969) in the United States Air Force where he flew F4 Fighter Jets in Vietnam.  After leaving the service, he began his career as a pilot for Delta Airlines where he remained from 1970-2000, retiring as a Captain.

Dan loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He was in touch with people all over the world ranging from his childhood, school and college friends, to his Air Force and Delta buddies. All of his friends knew they were welcome to stop by the house when the bar bell rang at 5:00 each day to enjoy a beer with him at his hand-crafted bar.   He loved sharing his annual tickets and attending the Masters Golf Tournament each year, as well as hosting his friends at his annual St. Patrick's Day and Kentucky Derby Day parties.   He participated with the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats) and would join his Duke Fraternity brothers at the Annual Rhino Gathering in North Carolina to play golf. He loved to travel and traveled often. And, there's never been an Irish pub Dan hasn't met!

He is survived by his wife, Donna Currie Bridges; son, Mark (Robyn), Waverly, AL; daughter, Devon Bridges (Kelly Thompson), Athens, GA; grandchildren: Samantha Duvall (Reid), Carlyn Bridges and Sam Bridges, Jr.; Sister, Suzanne (George) Stonikinis and many, many cherished friends whom he loved dearly.

Please join us as we raise a beer to honor Dan on May 2, 2021, 2:00-4:00, at the VFW Post 10555 located at 17680 Ashley Drive, Panama City Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bay County Humane Society, 1600 Bay Avenue, Panama City, FL  32405 or a charity of your choice.

"Weep not for me, for I have had a damn good time." Cheers!