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Olen "Goob" Bridges was born November 22, 1919 to John Franklin and Savannah Smith Bridges at Clarksville, Arkansas. He was one of seven children: two brothers, Erna and Oren and four sisters, Nettie, Lennie, Lucy, and Magdalene. Olen started his education at Stonehill School near Clarksville. He moved to Camargo, Oklahoma with his brother Ernie when he was around 15 years old. He lived with Ernie and his wife Allie and attended Camargo Public School until he graduated in 1940.
Even in his early years, Olen was well known for his ball playing skills. He was third baseman for the infamous Camargo Baseball Team that included such greats as Murvin Tharp, Bob Cummings, Ival Lee Miller, and Bob Ward as Bat Boy. Baseball was a great love in his life and he loved telling stories, playing catch, and watching and coaching from the stands. His opportunities to show his skills followed him even into the army. He enlisted in the Airforce in June of 1941 and made the all-star army baseball team while stationed in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1942.
In October of 1943, Olen was shipped overseas where he was stationed in England and served as an airplane mechanic with the 401st Bombardment Group and specifically the Mighty 8. He served his country proudly and made friendships to last a lifetime.
When he returned home from war, he moved back in with Ernie and Allie for a couple years before moving in with his great friends Ival and Mary Jean Miller and their children Pat and Bobbie. He lived with them for two or three years and became a close member of the family. During this time he drove the school bus and worked in concrete construction with Ival Lee, building stock tanks and working on the construction of Highway 34. In time, he moved to Tulsa and worked in a factory making airplane parts.
In 1965, he moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he earned his Master's Degree in Education. During this time, Ival and Mary Jean's daughter Pat was also attending SWOSU and Olen helped care for her daughter, Trisha, who he loved like his own. He passed on his love of baseball and service to his country to both Trisha and her brother Michael who grew up in his shadow and remained close to him throughout his lifetime.
With his education complete, Olen returned home to Camargo and served as Dewey County Superintendent of Schools in the 70's and early 80's. He was a positive influence in the lives of many youth and educators throughout the county who still recall his personal interest in them and the impact it had on their lives.
On June 17, 1986, Olen married Doris (Miller) Farris. They made a beautiful life together, with Olen immediately embracing her family as his own. They enjoyed traveling to his air force reunions, attending all types of functions for their grandchildren, and providing a welcoming home for all to gather and enjoy.
Olen was active in the Camargo Christian Church where he rarely missed a Sunday Service or Bible Study. He was baptized near the age of 80 and was often seen sitting quietly in his easy chair reading the Word of God. He celebrated his 90th birthday within the walls of his beloved church surrounded by family and friends, including several of his relatives from Arkansas that he enjoyed spending time with again.
Olen has resided in the Vici Nursing Home with his beloved wife, Doris, for the past several years where he has been well cared for and loved. He was a man of character and integrity who loved baseball, a cup of hot coffee, a slice of chocolate pie, a long, slow conversation, and most of all his family and friends.
Olen was preceded in death by his parents, John and Savannah, his brothers, Oren and Erna, three of his sisters, Nettie, Lennie, and Lucy, and his step daughter, Phyllis.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Bridges. His sister Magdalene Dobbs. Stepsons, Joe Farris and wife, Sue Ellen, and Jim Farris and Marquetta Hollan. Five grandchildren: Jennifer Mayes, and husband Tate, Cinnamon White, and husband Jason, Flint Farris and wife Amber, Destiny Howard and husband Josh, and Tanner Farris. Twelve great-grandchildren: Trey and Kayleigh Langley, Callie and Landon Mayes, Trinity, Paisley, and Embassy White, Koleman, Montana, and July Farris, Harlow Howard, and Khloe Farris. Many special nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.