Elton-A Celebration of Life Service for Richard E. Bridwell, Sr. 92, will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Elton First Baptist Church. Rev. Ryan Temple will officiate. Burial will follow in China Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home.
Richard's family will receive visitors on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 5-9 p.m. at Ardoin Funeral Home of Elton. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Friday morning from 8 a.m. until time of service.
Richard, affectionately known as "Dick", was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather. He was a very kind and caring person who loved to help others and would help anyone in need. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Bobbie, for 68 years until her passing in November of 2021. He was a devout Christian and a lifelong member of Elton First Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and his church family-"AMEN".  Richard served our country in the United States Air Force for four years of which he was very proud. He was a devoted supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. He worked diligently as a teacher to provide for his family. He was a welder by trade and taught welding at Elton High School for 31 years until his retirement. In his well-deserved retirement years, deserved retirement, Richard loved doing ornamental iron work and growing vegetables in his garden in which he loved to share with his neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed reading his Bible and westerns. He loved and adored his family, especially all the babies. He loved spending time with his family any time he could. Richard will be forever missed and unconditionally loved by all who knew him.
Those left the cherish Richard's memory include one son, Richard Bridwell Jr. of Lacassine; two daughters, Nancy Manuel and husband, Raymond of Lake Charles and Bridget Smith and husband, Lane of Pineville; two sisters, LaFern Warren and husband, Billy of Twin Falls, Idaho and Myra Joe McDonald of Toole, Utah; seven grandchildren, Mandi Leviner and husband, Sammy of Moss Bluff, Rhoda Corkran and husband, Jonathan of Laccassine, Marci Soileau of Lake Charles, Fulton "Buddy" Bridwell of Elton, Sadie Smith of Ruston, Molly Smith of Pineville, and Brandon Manuel of Orange, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Tyler Leviner and wife, Allana of Moss Bluff, Jolie Leviner of Moss Bluff, Ethan and Mia Corkran, both of Lacassine, and Marli and Madix Guidry, both of Lake Charles; and two great-great grandchildren, Navee and Wren Leviner, both of Moss Bluff.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, John and Fern Bridwell; wife, Bobbie Bridwell; two sons, Robert Dean and David Ray Bridwell; one brother, Dale Bridwell; and one grand-daughter, Shantel Manuel.
Condolences and words of comfort may be expressed to Richard's family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com and Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Senior Village Nursing and Rehab Center of Opelousas and their staff for all of their love, compassion, dignity, and respect. Also, a very special thanks to Mike Scanlan for keeping watch over their daddy.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Richard's memory to Elton First Baptist Church.