Steve was born on Sept. 14, 1973 in Cleveland, Ohio to Greer Alford and George Stephenson Bridges Sr. He attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, NC, Western Carolina University and UNC-Charlotte. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity at Western Carolina University and graduated with a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in marketing from UNC-Charlotte in 1998.
Steve married Lisa Gonzalez Bridges in Greensboro, NC in 1999 and the couple resided in Kernersville before making Greensboro their home, where they had three children. After a life-changing health crisis, Steve made a major life change and decided to follow his dreams of becoming a dentist. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry where he was a student-teacher liaison on the teaching committee, earning the name “Uncle Steve.” He also led dental school students in volunteer efforts at a local soup kitchen. Steve cherished the time he spent at the UNC School of Dentistry and considered the faculty and classmates he met there his family.
Steve had a passion and love for coaching. He coached youth basketball for 15 years, first with the Triad Titans, who placed in several national tournaments. Once his oldest son began playing basketball, he coached him with the Greensboro Gaters and St. Pius Comets. His teams achieved many successes both on and off the court, and he took pride in developing not only athletes but also walking beside them and mentoring them as they grew as individuals. He considered his players part of his family and worked tirelessly to bring them all together. In recent years, Steve’s passion for coaching also extended to the football field where he coached within the Southwest Jets Pop Warner organization. All three of Steve’s children were involved in team sports and coaching them was the highlight of his coaching career.
Steve’s battle with leukemia and its late effects displayed his gallant strength and courage. He had the constant support of his loving wife who remained by his side continuously and taught many people what true love and commitment really meant. The family would like to especially thank the nurses and doctors at UNC Cancer Center, the UNC School of Dentistry (Bridges of Hope) and the community of St. Pius X Catholic Church and school for their support during this time.
Steve is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their children, Sean, 11, Isabella, 9 and Tyler, 6; his mother, Greer and stepfather, Burch Alford of Kernersville; his father, George Stephenson Bridges Sr. of Forsyth, Ga.; inlaws Lucille and Albert Gonzalez of Greensboro; sister Mary Frances Eskew, husband David Eskew and niece Anna of Charlotte; brother-in-law Gary Gonzalez, wife Laura and nieces Emma and Lucy and nephew Will of Jamestown; brother-in-law Bobby Gonzalez and nephew Caelen and niece Mari-Holland of Greensboro; and closest friends Rachel and Darnley Corbin and Mark and Emily Mann of Greensboro, and Jose Quinones-Visot of Orlando, Fla.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel at 515 N. Elm St.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 2210 N. Elm St. with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to accounts that have been set up for the Bridges children at Bank of Oak Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
“Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.” -- John Wooden
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