James Anderson Bridges Jr., 83, of Valdosta, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, following an extended illness.
Born May 2, 1942, in Hawkinsville, he was the son of the late James Anderson Bridges Sr. and Charlotte Dennard Bridges. He was a 1960 graduate of Pineview High School, graduating third in his class. Because his dad "Snowball" had taught him a strong work ethic, he practiced this skill daily.
Growing up working in his dad's garage in the Middle Georgia area of Pineview, he became the most sought-after mechanic. At 15, he fabricated his first car, “Miss Carriage”, from left-over parts and dominated the unlimited class at the Macon Dragway and was subsequently banned from future participation.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Georgia Southern University in 1964 and his master’s degree and 6-year degree from the University of Georgia in education administration.
As an adult, he developed a passion for helping others learn how to be their "best" self and taught drafting at Fitzgerald High School and Glynn Academy High School for several years. In 1972, at the age of 30, he was hired to develop and implement the vocational education program at Valdosta High School.
In 1984, Superintendent of Valdosta City Schools Ralph Brandon selected him as Director of Valdosta Technical Institute, where he became passionate about providing skills and services to adults of all ages who wished to better their lives through vocational training. As the college grew, he accepted the role of President of Valdosta Technical College where he served for 22 years.
In 1993, he was recognized as the nation’s top educator by The American Vocational Educators Association for his efforts in initiating the Georgia Work Ethics Program, which was implemented in all the technical colleges in Georgia and many throughout the country.
After giving 42 years of his life to helping students receive hands-on vocational training, he retired from Valdosta Tech in 2006. He always credited the efforts of vocational instructors, teachers, administrators and staff for the success and growth of Valdosta Technical College (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College).
In promotion of local vocational education, he became active in civic clubs: Valdosta Rotary Club, Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Best Buddies of Valdosta, South Georgia Antique Car Club and the Masonic Lodge of Brunswick.
After retirement, he restored antique cars and repaired boats using the same set of skills he had learned as a young man.
He was a longtime member of First Methodist Church in Valdosta where he was an active leader and served on many committees through the years. He was also a strong supporter of Mosaic United Methodist Church.
Family was the glue that cemented all the pieces of James's life. In 1965, he and Joanna Bennett (daughter of the late Ehrlich and Pearl Manning Bennett) married in a small country church outside of Blackshear. Joanna, also a passionate educator, became his anchor and his biggest supporter. The two raised two sons: Jason, a retired United States Navy captain and now an engineer with Lockheed Martin, and Justin, an educator and talented musician. Jason married Tanya Nolan, also a Valdosta native, in 1998 and they were blessed with two daughters, Mia (graduate of William and Mary) and Audrey, (junior at Oberlin). His two granddaughters were the two girls in James's life.
He is also loved and survived by his sister, Sandra Bridges Anderson and brother-in-law Bill Anderson, Hawkinsville; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stanley (Ann) Bennett, Blackshear and Linda Bennett, Mershon; his best friend, Bill Aldrich (former principal of Valdosta High School), Valdosta and his many loved nieces and nephews: Kylie (Andy) Ray, James (Brenda) Bennett, Gail (Shelby) Mattox, Susan (Randy) Beckner, Rodney (Rhonda) Bennett, Neal (Tammy) Bennett, Greg (Tina) Bennett, Ashley (Sharon) Bennett, Ramsey (Charlene) Bennett, Wendy (Bailey) Courson, Brandon (Sherri) Bennett, Julie (Ken) Godfrey, Andrew Bennett, Cary (Dara) Bennett, Clark Bennett, Grant (Stacey) Bennett and many, many great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who were all like his own siblings, J.E. (Ann) Bennett Jr., Kenneth (Faye) Bennett, Calvin (Mary) Bennett, Wallace Bennett, Quindolyn “Quinnie” (Dick) Flannery, David Phelon Bennett and Johnie Elizabeth Bennett; and several nephews and a niece, Lee Anderson, Bill Richmond, Cal Bennett and Kathy Thomas.
"Well-done faithful servant. You have served your fellow man and your God well. The world is better because James Bridges lived life fully," said his family.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, from the Ramah Cemetery in Pierce County, the resting place of generations of Bennetts. Immediately following the service, the family will receive family and friends during a time of fellowship at the Shady Grove Baptist Church Social Hall.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to The Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation at www.wiregrass.edu/foundation/give-to-foundation-south
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
