Leland Bridges

Graveside services for Leland Bridges were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at Valliant Cemetery.

Leland Wayne Bridges, age 65, of Valliant, Okla., passed away on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Leland was born Feb. 23, 1955 in Ada, Okla., the son of Orville Bridges and Clara Belle (Wano) Bridges. Leland grew up in the Oklahoma City and Kingfisher area. After graduating, he continued his education and obtained a degree in science. From 1978 to 1981, Leland served his country in the United States Army. During this time he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, as a Nuclear Demolition Specialist — if you ever talked to him, you would know ALL about that!

Leland married Karen Gardner on March 29, 2002 in Valliant. He was a proud member of the Citizens Potawatomi Nation and was the grandson of the last living hereditary Chief Frank I. Wano. Leland was the kind of person who devoted his life to helping others. He was always happy and wore a smile that would light up the room. Leland was kindhearted and never met a stranger, and carried genuine love for all people, and treated everyone the same no matter who you were. He retired from McCurtain County EMS after 25.5 years, not because he wanted to, but because his physical body could not handle his passion anymore and he missed that more than life itself, it seemed. He had a brilliant memory and could tell stories for hours! He is preceded in death by parents, Orville and Clara

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Karen of Valliant; daughters: Marla Bridges Meakin and husband of Denver, Colo., Miranda Farrington and husband of Valliant; three grandchildren; sister, Anita Crowell and husband of Broken Bow, Okla.; bonus brothers, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, along with many loved family and friends.

Services were under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.