Theodore Ray Bridges, 74, longtime North River resident passed at his family home on Jan. 24, 2017. Ted was born in Aberdeen, Wash., to Charles and Irene (Beck) Bridges. He married Glenda Snyder on Nov. 9, 1963, at his mother’s home in Aberdeen. Glenda preceded him in death, in March of 2006.

After attending Weatherwax High School he went to work for ITT Rayonier Pulp mill where he worked until mill closure in 1992. Ted then held multiple trade jobs including setting pumps with his son-in-law and daughter for Smith Well Drilling in Alaska, horseshoeing, dump truck driving and backhoe work where he coined the nickname of ”Grave Digger”. He used his backhoe to volunteer for years at Saginaw Days.

Hobbies included elk and deer hunting, fishing, hiking, riding motorcycles and boating. There were numerous camping trips to Canyon River, Mount Rainer and Packwood areas with family and friends. Ted had many friends and touched many lives spending time at the local watering holes.

He is survived by his brother Leonard (Nancy) Bridges; daughters Kathy (Jack) Osbekoff, Debbie (Randy) Smith, Tara (Larry) Tisdale, Tina (Jay) Coker, and son Rick (Debbie) Snyder. His son Bill Snyder passed away in August of 2014; grandchildren Angie (Joe) Fuquay, Michelle (EJ) Toepelt, Bryan (Megan) Osbekoff, Nick Snyder, Jason (Jennifer) Smith, Tyler (Gina) Smith, Christina Rager, Abby, Jacob and Taylor Coker; great-grandchildren Malaki Osbekoff, Sierra and Hailey Fuquay, Trevor, Braden and Preston Toepelt, Jonah, Eli and Rachael Smith, Shayla, Kylie and Felicity Smith.

There will be a celebration of life and potluck at the Artic Community Hall Feb. 18, at 2 p.m.