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Charles. H. “Charlie” Bridges, passed away Wednesday December 18, 2013 in Palm Harbor. He passed 3 days after the death of his wife of 62 years, Helen Hoyle Bridges. He was 83.
A native of North Carolina and one of 5 children, Charles was born 1930 in Forest City. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill and Belmont Abbey College. He graduated from Belmont Abbey with a degree in Business in 1956.
Charles served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lakenheath Air Force Base in Suffolk, England from 1948 to 1951.
He began his business career at The Scott Paper Company in 1959 and left in 1981 after a 22-year career to start his own business. He became a co-owner and CEO of Francois L. Schwarz in 1981 and ran the company until 1995. He was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for Outback Steakhouse from 1992 to 2006. Charles also owned 6 Outback Steakhouse Restaurants in Northern California.Throughout his life, golf was his passion. He served on the Board of Directors of Copperhead Charities, hosts of the PGA Tour Golf tournament held annually at Innisbrook Resort. Charles was also a Founding Member at Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa, Florida as well as a lifelong Member at Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, NJ.
He is survived by daughter Karen Bridges of Palm Harbor, FL; Daughter and son-in-law Linda and Mike Mitchell of Brooksville, FL; grandson Ryan Bridges of Palm Harbor, FL; Brother and sister in law Bob and Robin Bridges of Ponce de Leon, FL; Brother and sister in law Keith and Thelma Bridges of Madisonville, TN; Sister Linda Arnold of Madisonville, TN; Sister Suzanne Ogle of Tellico Plains, TN; sister-in -law Dell Little of Chapel Hill, NC; Aunt Margie Bridges of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Graveside Services will be held 11AM Friday December 27, 2013 at Southern Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. John Perry Officiating.
Crowe’s Mortuary is assisting the Bridges Family with local arrangements.
