Ralph S. Bridwell

Ralph Sterling Bridwell, 82, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at an Abilene hospital after a short illness. Ralph was born November 2, 1930 in Marshfield, Missouri, to Ralph Tucker Bridwell and Georgia McCall Bridwell. Ralph ran track and played baseball at Marshfield High School before graduating from Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, with a B.S. degree. He also studied geology at the Colorado School of Mines. Ralph moved his family to Abilene in May, 1955 when he opened the district office of Bridwell Oil Company. The family joined St. Paul United Methodist Church that same month, and has been active ever since. Ralph was active in the community serving on the boards of the YMCA, the St. Paul United Methodist Church Administrative Board, Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Abilene Geological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Sigma Nu Fraternity, and the Downtown Rotary Club where he was a past President. In 1963, the Abilene Jaycees named Ralph Abilene’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year. He served as a Trustee for the J.S. Bridwell Foundation for over 40 years. Ralph was an avid gardener. Over a 17 year span, Ralph coached Little League, Pony League, Colt League and All-Star teams. For almost 60 years, Ralph was a member of the Propheteers Sunday School Class at St. Paul. In recent years, he enjoyed his Monday and Tuesday lunch groups which included many of his lifelong friends. In 2000, Ralph built an office near his house, where he continued his passion for finding oil and gas. Ralph is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ann, and their children Tucker and Gina Bridwell of Abilene, Lynn and David Jennings of Dallas, and Gray and Teresa Bridwell of Abilene. Ralph is survived by one brother, James Robert Bridwell of St. Louis, Missouri, and eight grandchildren: Tom Bridwell of Dallas, Jordan Bridwell of Colorado Springs, CO, Beth and Will Babb of Fort Worth, Charles Bridwell of Santa Monica, CA, Andrew and Rachel Jennings of Dallas, Melissa Jennings of Dallas, and Lauren and Austin Bridwell of Abilene. A visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The memorial service will be at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, or St. Paul United Methodist Memorial Fund.