Kenneth Edward Bridges, Jr.

Kenneth Edward Bridges, Jr., 84, of Akron, passed away on October 26, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Known to family and friends as "Butch", he was born on April 4, 1942 to the late Kenneth Sr. and Josephine Bridges and was raised in Akron, Ohio.

Through friends, he met the lovely Dorothy Klein and they married on June 17, 1961. Their family grew to include three daughters and a son and they settled in the North Hill area of Akron.

Along with his wife, Dorothy, he was the owner of Bridges Boats for almost 60 years and took great pride in building, repairing, and selling boats.

Butch was a true outdoorsman and felt most at home fishing on local lakes or deer hunting in southern Ohio. He organized and competed in numerous bass fishing tournaments on Lake Erie.

In addition to his parents, Butch was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy; siblings Joyce Burton and Connie Jones; and granddaughter, Bryanna Fern.

Butch will be dearly missed by his loving children, Belinda Bridges, Michele (Bobby) Fern, Rhonda White, and Kenneth (Tracy) Bridges III; sisters, Carol Ellis and Suzanne Winters; grandchildren, Mikey Johnson, Monica (Logan) Pridgen, Kathryn (Jared) Robinson, Kaitlyn (Matt) Cline, Mike White, Brittany White, Whitney (Brandon) Nelson, Carley Bridges, Zoey (Austin) Dunn, and Kenneth Bridges IV; great-grandchildren, Franklin, William, Gracie, Garrett, Kyleena, Daelynn, Grant, Kade, and Cole; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, including Butch and Dorothy's special friend, Nan the Bookie. He also leaves many devoted customers and bass club members who were like family to Butch.

Butch's family wishes to thank the staff at Renaissance of Richfield Bath: Jeannette Stanevich, Kirt, Joe, Mercedes, Doug, Deanna, and receptionist Ann B.  Also, special thanks to Connie from Ohio Living Hospice and the care team at Traditions, Danny and Rhonda.

A graveside service to celebrate Butch and Dorothy's lives will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 2580 Romig Rd, Akron, Ohio 44320. Following the service, a gathering will be held at Victory Chapel, 32 W. Bellisle, Akron, Ohio 44319.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Living Hospice, 83 N. Miller Rd Suite 10, Fairlawn, OH 44333 or The Care Team, 207 Portage Trail Ext W, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.