A graveside service for H.A. "Tony" Bridge, 84, of Fort Worth, Texas will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Colonial Gardens Cemetery in Marshall with Father John M. Himes, OSF, officiating. Mr. Bridge died on July 4, 2016.

Howard Anthony "Tony" Bridge Jr. Was born December 17, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to Howard A. and Ruth Pitchford Bridge. He was reared in Avinger, Texas and Marshall, Texas. Tony was a graduate of Marshall High School in the class of 1949, where he was the Student Body President. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism at Southern Methodist University in 1953. Tony holds memberships in Phi Delta Theta, Greek Fraternity, and Sigma Delta Chi and Alpha Delta Sigma, Professional Fraternities.

Tony served his country in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Journalist Third Class. During active duty in 1954-55, he served his country on the public relations staff of Admiral Farion, Commander of the Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. Tony was honorably discharged in 1961.

Tony married JoAnn Odom of Idabel, Oklahoma on June 28, 1954. They are the parents of three children, Howard Anthony Bridge III, Victoria C. Bridge and James Martin Bridge.

Tony's professional life was quite varied. He was honored to have mentored so many young people who have gone on to be quite successful in their fields. Among his places of responsibility were: KBEL, Idabel, Oklahoma, Program Director,1953; WBOF, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and WCMS, Norfolk, Virginia, Announcer, 1954-1955; KBCL, Shreveport, Louisiana, General Manager, 1957-1959; KMHT AM-FM, Marshall, Texas, Owner, General Manager, 1959-1983; KLUE, Longview, Texas; Owner, General Manager, 1959-1980; KHER FM, Longview, Texas, Owner, General Manager, 1965-1974; Outdoor Marshall Poster Plant, Marshall, Texas, Owner, General Manager, 1965-1971; Pack Rat Self Storage, Marshall, Texas, Owner, Secretary-Treasurer, 1975-1981; Road Runner Radio Paging Service, Marshall, Texas, 1969-1972; Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Marshall, Texas, Owner, General Manager; 1983-1990; Cypress Valley Cablevision, Marshall, Texas, President and Partner, 1977-1982; Atlanta Cablevision, Atlanta, Texas, President and Partner, 1981-1982; Hallsville Cablevision, Hallsville, Texas, 1980-1982; Past President, Texas Association of Broadcasters; Past Director, Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas; Consultant, KEEs Radio, Gladewater, Texas; Consultant, KCUL AM/FM, Marshall, Texas; Consultant, East Texas Hospitality Centers, Seven Motels, Headquartered in Marshall, Texas; Consultant, Elmwood Properties, Two Hotel headquartered in Longview, Texas; Consultant, KMHT AM/FM, Marshall, Texas.

Tony gave of himself to his community. His civic responsibilities were: Past President, Marshall, Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce; Past President, Marshall, Texas Rotary Club; Board of Directors, two three-year terms, Marshall Chamber of Commerce; Past President, Friends of A Public Library, Marshall, Texas; Scottish Rite Mason; Shriner, Past Director Red River Valley Association; Past President, East Texas Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman, East Texas Tourism Association; Past President, Texas State Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman, Citizens Advisory Council, Marshall, Texas; Past Member, Shreveport Advertising League, Past Member, Shreveport/Bossier Convention and Tourism Bureau; Past Member, of Marshall City Commission; Past Vestryman, Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall; Past Chairman of the Texas Tourism Development Agency - appointed by Gov. Dolph Briscoe; Past Director of First National Bank of Marshall, Texas; Past Chairman of Marshall Regional Arts Council; and Past Chairman of the Marshall, Texas Civic Center Advisory Board. Tony received the Outstanding Citizen Award in 1976 from the Marshall Chamber of Commerce. He was also a 2010 inductee into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Tony is survived by his wife, JoAnn O. Bridge of Fort Worth, Texas; sons Howard Bridge III of Dallas, Texas; James M. Bridge of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Victoria Bridge of Haslett, Texas; granddaughters Laura Ann Potts of Rowley, Massachusetts, Brittney Morgan of Walsenburg, Colorado; grandson, Steven Robert of Concord, New Hampshire; seven great grandchildren; and cousins, Dinah McCain of Avinger, Texas, Robert "Pid" McCain of Big Lake, Texas, Mollie McCain Loving of Daingerfield, Texas; H.B. Pitchford Jr., of Avinger, Texas and John Lanius, MD, of Dallas, Texas.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ruth Bridge.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Furrh, Albert McPhail Jr., L.H. Spellings III, Jim Harris, MD, and W.H. Rickles Jr., MD.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 106 North Grove St., Marshall, Texas 75672, or the charity of your choice.