Donald Elmo Bridgewater, Sr.

Donald Elmo Bridgewater, Sr. 83, of Macomb passed away at 7:50 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023 at his daughter’s home.
He was born on August 1, 1940 in Mt. Sterling to Clifford Marion and Carrie Merreta (Berry) Bridgewater. He first married Judith Eccher. He later married Shirley Coker on November 29, 1975. She passed away on July 29, 2018. 
Don is survived by his children, Rick (Sharon) Bridgewater of Monmouth, Donnie (Julie) Bridgewater, Jr. of Andover, Maria Teel (Larry Cunningham) of Red Bluff, California,  Eric (Teanne) Bridgewater of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Melisa (Shane) Thompson of Macomb; 19 grandchildren, Kasi, Kevin, Krystal, Dylan, Caleb, Noah, Sarah, Candice, Christina, Michel, Nick, Aurora, Cindy, Sierra, Anthony, Hunter, Jenna, Morgan and Layne; several great-grandchildren; Siblings Clarence Merlyn Bridgewater, Marian Nadine (Dean) Lambert, Gale Eugene (Kathryn) Bridgewater, Mary Merreta (Buster) Hufendick, Joseph Larry (Kathy) Bridgewater and Darrell Lynn Bridgewater sister-in-laws, Pat Young, Cindy (Jim) Hare, and Pat Coker, several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend and loyal dog, “Buddy” who will miss him dearly.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cleatis Mervin “Buck” Bridgewater and  Ronald Albert Bridgewater, sister-in-laws, Clara Lou Bridgewater, Jeannie Bridgewater and Charlene Bridgewater and brother-in-laws, Ed Coker and  Tuffy Young.
Don attended Bardolph High School. He joined the Army and served in Germany, Korea and the United States from 1962 to 1969 and achieved the rank of Staff Sargent. He was a heavy equipment operator working for Hillyer Construction for many years before his retirement. He was a life member of the Macomb American Legion and Past-Commander and a member of the Macomb VFW.
Don was a simple man who loved his wife and family and his dog, Buddy. He loved nothing more than to get in the car and go wherever the wheels took him, often times ending up at a casino or his favorite bar to spend time with his friends.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Grave side services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Bardolph Cemetery in Bardolph with Gale Bridgewater officiating. Full military rites will be conducted by the Macomb American Legion and Macomb VFW. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday October 25, 2023 at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb.
Memorials may be made to MDH Hospice, MDH Home Health Care or Macomb American Legion.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Elmo Bridgewater, Sr., please visit our floral store.