Dale Vernon Bridges

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Dale Vernon Bridges of Tulare, who left us on December 31st, 2024, at the age of 76.

Dale, the eldest of three children, was born on July 9th, 1948, in Tulare, California, to his parents Connie Faye and Leona Bridges and his biological mother, Louis Jane Long. After graduating from Wasco High School in 1966, Dale traveled around, working various jobs until finally settling down in Tulare, where he started and ran a trucking business with his father for over 40 years. Dale was married to Sheri Bridges for 20 years, with whom he shared three children. To anyone who knew him, Dale was the life of the party and would almost always be seen carrying around a pool stick, his most beloved game. He also loved taking road trips with his kids, camping at the beach and in the desert with family and friends, riding dirt bikes, horseback riding, and working at the shop with his dad. In his later years, Dale enjoyed any time he was able to spend playing with his grandkids, who thought they had the best Papa in the world and will miss him terribly.

He leaves behind three children: son Shane Bridges and his wife, Jennifer, of Portland, OR; and two daughters, Jennifer Bettencourt and Jessica Bridges, both of Visalia. As well as six beautiful grandchildren: Kaytlynn, Harrison, and Julian Bridges of Portland, OR, and Brayden, Brooklyn, and Brody Bettencourt of Tulare, CA. He will be greatly missed by his brother, Gary Bridges and his wife, Patty, of Bakersfield; his little sis, Brenda Chronister and her husband, Tony, of Dardanelle, Arkansas; his ex-wife, Sheri Bridges, of Visalia and a whole handful of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who all adored him.

We invite all who cherished Dale to join us in a ceremony of remembrance at 303 W Kimball Ave in Visalia on Sunday, February 9th from 1:00-3:00 PM, where we will share photos, stories, laughter, and food, just as Dale would have wanted. A man of unwavering loyalty and friendship, Dale left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

For those moved to honor Dale's legacy, donations to the local SPCA will honor his love of animals, which started at a very young age when he "jailbroke" all the dogs from the pound in Tulare at 8yrs old.