Carl Douglass Bridgers

Carl Douglass Bridgers was born to Willie Regan and Ruby Florence (Callaway) Bridgers on March 29, 1917 in rural Stephens County near Empire City, OK, and departed this life on September 13, 2012 at a nursing home in Marlow, OK, at the age of 95 years, 5 months and 15 days. Carl was the oldest of 10 children and helped on the family farm until his marriage to Margaret Knight on July 29, 1941, which lasted for 71 years. He was drafted into the US Army and entered service on June 29, 1942, in the 112 regiment, 28 Infantry Division. He trained at Camp Carson, Colorado; Louisiana and California Maneuvers. They embarked June 24, 1944 for the European Theatre, with engagements in Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Northern France and Central Europe. He was Machine Gunner in Heavy Weapons Company, when he was wounded on September 15, 1944 in Germany in the battle of the Bulge. Carl was awarded 4 battle stars, the Purple Heart, Service Ribbon, Silver Service Star, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas; October 13, 1945 with the rank of Sergeant. Upon his discharge from the Army he returned to farm Northeast of Walters, where he lived his entire life. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Marie Ann Neely; a granddaughter, Shelly Dawn Bridgers; a sister, Louise Johns; and a brother, Joe Bridgers. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; four children and their spouses, Sue and Gerald Hayes, June Hedges, Paul and Sharon Bridgers, and Charles Bridgers, all of Walters, OK; 10 grandchildren, Joel Neely of Frederick, OK, Robert and Lori Hedges of Temple, OK, Michael Neely of Wichita Falls, TX, Kristie and Scotty Sells of Carnegie, OK, Scotty and Yolanda Hayes of Walters, OK, Kenny and Leslie Snider of Sterling, OK, Paula and Brian Lokey of Aledo, TX, Lisa and Dane Pendley of Cyril, OK, Charla Bridgers of Elgin, OK, Starla and Ryan Bradshaw of Sterling, OK; 29 great grandchildren, Emily Neely, Brenna Neely, Daniel and Angel Hedges, Robert Mooney, Tyler Hedges, Andrew Hedges, Sarah Hedges, Jenifer and Casey Brown, Bailee Sells, Layton Harper, Ramona Limon-Simmons, Hayden Hayes, Kyle and Amy Snider, Chayton Snider, Gracie Snider, Dakota Lokey, Rabeka Lokey, Harleigh Pendley, Kade Pendley, Jay Bridgers, William Wauqua, Kenzlee Wauqua, Heston Wauqua, Logan Bradshaw, Carter Bradshaw, and Paisley Wauqua (due in 3 weeks); 5 great-great grandchildren; 6 sisters, Maxine and B.W. Lokey of Comanche, OK, Mary and Don Ryther of Duncan, OK, Alta Ruth and Harold Dunn of Comanche, OK, Florence Yoakum of LaGrange, TX, Lois Ann Gilliam of Walters, Ok, Carolyn and Ronald Howard of Lewisville, TX; a brother, Roy and Carolyn Bridgers of Lewisville, TX; other relatives and friends.