Louis Elton Bridges, Jr.

Louis Elton Bridges Jr, 90, went to be with his Lord and savior on Sunday morning June 13th, 2021. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to those who knew him. Louis was born in his ancestral home on February 15th, 1931, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, to Louis Elton Bridges Sr. and Bessie (Sykes) Bridges. He was the oldest of 4 children and developed the habit of taking care of those around him early in life. As he grew, he went on to demonstrate his intelligence and drive by graduating high school at the age of 16. Immediately following, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and spent 4 years during the Korean conflict in Northern Japan, at a US radar base which sparked his interest in electronics. Following his honorable discharge, Louis used the GI Bill to attend Mississippi State University and achieved his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He went on to earn his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering , and worked for such companies as General Dynamics, before branching out to start his own business, Innovated Systems Incorporated which he operated until his retirement. One highpoint was his authorship of United States Patent: #4141078 for ‘Library Circulation Control Systems’ in 1979 with T. Parsons. This patent laid the electrical groundwork for automation used today in Amazon fulfillment warehouses. During this time, Louis met the love of his life Ernestine Holt. Louis and Ernestine were married in Dallas, Texas on November 5th, 1971. He became a husband and father to Martin and Nina Peterson. In 1974 they welcomed their first child together, John, soon followed by a daughter, Jennifer, in 1976. Louis was a lifelong musician, who never received any formal instruction and learned to play by ear. His passion was bluegrass, and gospel music. His home was always filled with the sounds of guitar or fiddle during holidays and he led his Sunday school class in joyful songs for decades. He was active in his church and joined his wife local politics. You wouldn’t see Ernestine spearheading a political function or activity without him diligently working in the background to make it a success. Later in life, Louis enjoyed being “Pepaw” to his grand-children Trace, Benjamin, Noah, Alexis & Elizabeth. This renewed his vigor as he dove right in, whether he was playing music for dancing toddlers, sitting at countless sports games, treating his grandchildren like royalty, or having the “serious” talks one can only have when the elderly are speaking with the very young. Louis was the epitome of duty and love, especially during Ernestine’s final years. You would find Louis putting in countless hours at his wife’s side at the nursing home. He would be there first thing in the morning to help her start her day and would stay until lunch, then he would go home for a quick nap before returning for dinner and to keep her company in the evening until bed. This was his routine for several years, daily without fail and he made it look effortless. Louis was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Stanley Bridges. He was also preceded in death by his wife Ernestine (Holt) Bridges, his son Martin Peterson, daughter Jennifer Bridges and grandson Trace Thornton. He is survived by his daughter, Nina Thornton of Spring, Texas, son and daughter-in-law, John & Sharon Bridges of Fort Worth, Texas, and daughter-in-law Timary Peterson, of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren, Benjamin Peterson of Austin, Texas, Noah Bridges of Fort Worth, Texas, Alexis and Elizabeth Rodriguez of Mesquite, Texas, and his sisters Shirley Wheat of Mesquite, Texas, and Betty Lou Sykes of Jackson, Mississippi.