Mr. Jerry Bridgers

Jerry Summers Bridgers, 74, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2014 at UMC in Jackson. Visitation will be 4-8pm Tuesday, June 17 and 10am until the 11am funeral service Wednesday, June 18, all at First Baptist Church of Raymond. Interment will follow at Raymond Cemetery. Chancellor Funeral Home of Byram handling arrangements. Jerry was passionate about his Church, his family and his respiratory therapy profession. He and Clarice served in numerous capacities in the Church. He served with the Prayer group for the church, the Grief support group, Sunday school, Prison ministries and always had a helping hand ready when called upon. He also was a AA Counselor and sponsor for many recovering Alcoholic and drug addicts. He attended the Raymond group and helped many with support. His respiratory therapy passion began 50+ years ago at the Mississippi Baptist Hospital Respiratory Therapy School. He established the Respiratory Therapy Department at Hinds General Hospital when the hospital opened and was Department Director for many years. Following a brief period of employment in Alaska he returned to Raymond and began his employment at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he recently retired as Director of Biomedical Engineering Jerry is well known nationally for his passion and contributions to the American Association for Respiratory Care where he served the Political Advocacy Contact Team (lobbying in Washington for 15 years) and representing Mississippi in the House of Delegates for 30+ years. He received the Lifetime Membership Award , recognition for outstanding and significant contributions for the American Association for Respiratory Care and the Respiratory Therapy profession. Also as a Charter Member of the Mississippi Society for Respiratory Care his service earned him the distinction of having the Jerry Bridgers Award for Excellence named in his honor. His proudest professional moments were those he experienced as a Board member for the Tri-State Respiratory Care Conference. We remember more than once Jerry saying that he "loved Tri-state." He enjoyed the tradition of the conference, but I don't think that's what he was referring to. He loved the people that he served with and the fellowship that the meeting fostered. The conference is in the 43rd year and he has served on the board since it began. He and Clarice are known by everyone that attends for their hard work and finding the best prices and the biggest shrimp for the annual shrimp boil. He is preceded in death by his parents John & Gladys Hutchins Bridgers and his brother John Bridgers. Survivors include his wife of 52 years Clarice McAlister Bridgers; son Karl Thomas Bridgers (Kim) of TN; brother Larry Bridgers (Martha) of Raymond; grandchildren Kristie Bridgers and Matthew Thomas Bridgers; several nieces & nephews. On line guest book available at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.