Jonathan "John" Karl Bridges

Funeral services for John Bridges, 62, of Portales will be held at 10:30 AM, Tues, April 29, 2025 at the Central Christian Church with Pastor Don Thomas officiating.  Burial will be in the Portales Cemetery with full Firefighter honors.  Pallbearers will be members of the Portales Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Grandmaster Walter Lang, Master Steve Blakely, Thom Moore, Delbert Rector, Alex Wynn, and all past and present members of the Portales Fire Department. The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 to 8 PM.

Jonathan (John) K. Bridges, age 62, died peacefully on April 25, 2025 at his home next to his wife, Julie. John was born on January 19, 1963 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of J. Windell and Vivian Bridges. John grew up in Fort Sumner where his family farmed alfalfa and spent many summers hauling hay and developing his reputable work ethic. John was a stand-out athlete in high school and obtained many championships and some school records. One of his most infamous physical accomplishments over the years was winning the Billy the Kid Tombstone Race in Ft. Sumner 10 times which is a record that still holds today. As a result, the ”Bridges Rule” was implemented which doesn’t allow a competitor to win more than three times.

John came to Portales in 1981 on a football scholarship to ENMU where he was a running back and played on special teams. During this season of his life, he discovered one of his great passions, Tae Kwon Do. Under the direction of his long-time friend and mentor, Steve Blakeley, he fought full contact and also obtained the rank of 6th degree black belt. He was a life-long student of the Art and loved teaching, especially his wife, kids, and father-in law, Buck Wilson, who achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt. He won many state-wide competitions, competed at Nationals and qualified to compete at a World competition in England. He exemplified the tenets of Tae Kwon Do, especially Indomitable Spirit.

John joined the Portales Fire Department in 1987 and rose through the ranks becoming a Lieutenant, Captain and then Fire Chief of the department until his retirement in 2009. He was also a Respiratory Therapist and worked at RGH (including the old hospital) and PRMC. He took great pride in the building of the new hospital and served as the Chief of Ancillary Services where he managed Cardiopulmonary, Laboratory, Radiology, Dietary, Housekeeping, Safety, and Plant Operations. During his time at RGH, John was selected to be an Honorary Commander for the Medical Division at Cannon Air Force Base. One of his most notable memories of this was flying to Hurlburt Field in an AC-130. He was working in this capacity when he had a very unexpected and life changing stroke at work on December 13, 2019 that forced him into retirement and started his most courageous and challenging battle.

John was not only a gifted teacher but a faithful servant of God. He served as deacon for Central Chrisitan Church and loved to teach Children’s Church. He also taught medical education classes where he shaped and inspired countless students. John was an avid hiker and mountain biker and loved nothing more than to be in the mountains of the Pecos Wilderness.

John was a man of extraordinary spirit, great character, and fierce dedication to everything he set his mind to. He did everything in his personal and professional life to the highest standard. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, honor and devotion that continues to inspire all who were fortunate to know him. His loss is immeasurable but so is the impact he made on the lives he touched.

John always kept his heart focused on what mattered most: his faith in and a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his beloved wife, Julie, and his cherished children, Ashley, Braden and Ally. He took immense pride in his children and never missed any of their sporting or school events. John later found immeasurable joy in his role as “Papa” to his four grandchildren, who were the light of his life. His family was his true life’s work and his greatest source of pride and joy.

He leaves behind a legacy far greater than any accolade: a family rooted in love, a life lived with integrity, and a faith that never wavered, even in the face of his greatest trials. Though his time with us has ended, the lessons he taught, the love he gave, and the faith he lived will continue to guide us all.

John is survived by his wife of 26 years, Julie, his children Ashley (Julius) Lindley of Clovis, NM, Braden (Brooklyn) of Las Cruces, NM, and Ally Bridges, also of Las Cruces, NM. His grandchildren, Sofia and Jaxon Lindley and Tate and Ila Bridges. He is also survived by a brother, Mike Melton of Ft Sumner, NM, a sister, Melissa Thomson of Clovis, NM. Also surviving him are brothers and sisters in law and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, J. Windell Bridges, Vivian Finney, a brother, Windell Bridges and nephew Joshua Bridges. Also preceding him in death are his mother and father-in-law, Buck and Florence Wilson.

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