David Brian Bridge, 62

David Brian Bridge

June 30, 1959 - June 28, 2022

David B. Bridge, 62, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, passed away at home from chronic health conditions on June 28, 2022.

David was born in Hollywood, Calif., to Ruthie and Ralph Bridge. Most of his childhood and young adult life was spent in Northern California in the small cowboy town of Cottonwood.

Despite being born with club feet, he never let that physical challenge slow him down. He was a typical country boy who loved everything the outdoors provided. He excelled at baseball, enjoyed summers running around with cousin Denise and was very active raising steers in the Bowman 4-H Club. He earned several showmanship and leadership awards, participated as a “runner” in the junior livestock auctions and presented at University of California-Davis, even earning some TV airtime.

It was in Cottonwood that he and first wife Lisa Spoon started their family. After obtaining his contractor’s license, he worked as a glazier for his parents' glass shop. In 1991, he and his two daughters moved to North Idaho, joining his parents and two siblings.

North Idaho was a perfect fit for someone who loved hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding and shooting and, as he would say, being a “true mountain man.” Those that knew David knew better than to play poker with him, especially Texas Hold ’em. He was a card shark and, whether it was a friendly game with family during holidays or sitting at a card table in a casino, he loved the mental challenge of the game.

In 1995 David found love again with second wife Nancy Tardieu and her three children. They joked that they were like the Garth Brooks song, “Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House.” After several years of navigating the challenges of blending a family, they opened their own business, Ace Glass in Rathdrum. They worked hard and were able to accomplish many of their dreams.

David was blessed to have grandchildren whom he loved deeply. He had a heart of gold and loved family and friends unconditionally. He had always been a solid provider for his children, teaching them to be hard-working, honest, self-sufficient and to never do anything “half-assed,” as he would say.

After retirement and his split with Nancy, David found himself a little slice of heaven on the shores of Spirit Lake, Idaho. This is where he continued to live and thrive in the great outdoors, whether it be fishing on his boat or riding his quad up in the mountains. He also enjoyed helping in the community and worked part-time at the hardware store.

During his time in Spirit Lake, one of his favorite companions came in the form of a Quaker parrot named Buddy. David was always proud of the time and effort spent in teaching Buddy to talk and the feathered friend was finger trained enough to fly free indoors and come back with a whistle and the command, “Buddy Bird!”

David was a unique man who never pretended to be anyone but himself. His life lessons will live on through his children and grandchildren. He is gone from this earth, but forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his father, Ralph Bridge of Dalton Gardens; children Jayme (Trevor) Gayman of Hayden and Ashley Bridge of Post Falls; stepchildren Jake Nielsen, Becky Spates and Amanda Hall; siblings Kim Winters of Spokane and Kevin (Angie) Bridge of Dalton Gardens; grandchildren Emma, Kolton and Kiarra, step-grandchildren, a niece and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Bridge, daughter Stacey Bridge and his beloved Buddy Bird.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum, Idaho, 6693 W. Highway 53, Rathdrum, Idaho. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit David’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com