James Robertson Bridges Jr. was a maverick in his younger years and often joked that the lyrics to one of his favorite songs "Midnight Rider," were written just for him. True or not, the 77-year-old cashed in his last silver dollar on May 8 ^th and hit the road to forever, shaking off the confines of a long-term illness. While the song's outlaw was a myth, Jimmy Bridges was a real man with real experiences who touched real lives.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia to the late James Robertson Bridges Jr. and Rosa Heath Bridges, it was Jimmy's good fortune to have spent his formative years in Virginia Beach – something in which he took great pride. But even a strong fondness for his hometown could not suppress his inner rambler. After graduating with the Virginia Beach High School class of 1960, (a close-knit group with whom he maintained life-long ties) the restless teen took the highway and spent time roaming the country. Jimmy enjoyed brief stints in great cities like Dallas and New Orleans, as well as Washington D.C.

He might have continued with his vagabond ways had something remarkable not changed his trajectory: a chance meeting with his former grade-school sweetheart, Jesse FlaComio. The long-ago crush shared by the two quickly took on "love of my life" proportions. Jimmy was smitten and gladly followed his beloved to Miami, where they married and made plans to start a family.

He went to work as a surveyor for the McIntosh Company, but later was offered a position with the Harwood Beebe Company in Florence, SC. He worked for the company for more than two decades before his retirement. Jimmy grew to love Florence and made plenty of friends there. Some of his best times were those he spent as a member of the Volvo Tennis League playing matches with his Sunday tennis group. Jimmy also competed in horseshoes and volleyball, always reserving time for weekend libations with his buddies and family around the pool at the Florence Elks Lodge, where he was a member.

With children, Traci and Chris, having long left the nest, the retired Jimmy heard the siren call of the Atlantic Ocean that so mesmerized him as a child. He answered it by taking Jesse and moving to Surfside Beach, where the pair lived happily for the last 15 years. Making another move was old hat for the veteran rover, who settled in and acquired many pals in no time. This was largely in part to his easy laughter and comedic skills, which he was known to immodestly tout. (More than once, he shamelessly proclaimed himself to be "the funniest person he ever met".)

Jimmy also found common ground with others through his love for music, with tastes that ran the gamut from Chuck Berry, to the Grateful Dead, to Pearl Jam, to Duke Ellington and, of course, the Allman Brothers. As an avid reader and student of philosophy, he was always up for a good debate, too, and was known for being a skilled and interesting conversationalist. One of his favorite topics, though, was the show "Law and Order," which he developed an encyclopedic knowledge of after watching every episode  – multiple times.

He was a tactful man, who went to great lengths in his role as a "Dad Divided." With a Crimson Tide fan for a daughter, and a Clemson Tiger fan for a son, Jimmy spent many a Saturday changing his wardrobe to sport the team colors of his offsprings' favorite teams. It was all good, though, as he naturally loved sports and enjoyed gamedays immensely.

But, of all the experiences in his life, Jimmy was most thankful for those he shared with his wife and family. Fiercely protective, he truly reveled in their happiness and accomplishments. And for them, an approving smile from Dad was worth more than any trophy or ribbon. The family dynamic changed significantly when his only grandchild, Kaiden, was born, stealing the spotlight and securing a special place in Grandpa's heart.  The two shared many a late-night dessert – chocolate ice cream sprinkled with M&Ms – which became a cherished tradition along with Kaiden's home-baked cookies.

Jimmy was predeceased by his parents; a beloved brother, Elliott Heath Bridges; father-in-law, Anthony James FlaComio and brother-in-law, John "Jay" Grow. Left to treasure his memory and give thanks for his presence in their lives is Jimmy's loving wife, Jesse FlaComio Bridges; daughter, Traci FlaComio Bridges; son, Christopher Elliott Bridges; grandson Kaiden George Bridges; sister Rosa Bridges Hughes; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth FlaComio Luciano (Nino) and Mary Stewart FlaComio Norman (Billy); nieces, Susan Hughes Minton (Dan) and Sarah Luciano; nephews, Michael Luciano and Jason Norman; and his special buddy and mother-in-law, Virginia Stewart FlaComio.

In lieu of a funeral, the family is planning a celebration of Jimmy's life, in keeping with his wishes for a simple, no-fuss send-off. Arrangements will be announced this summer.