Obituary for Mr. Adrian D. Bridges, Jr.
Mr. Adrian, “Baller” D. Bridges Jr., 38, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Adrian was born on October 18, 1982. He was the first of two children of Adrian D. Bridges Sr. and Angela K. (Hicks) Bridges of Apex, NC. Adrian was born in Detroit, Michigan at Henry Ford Hospital. Adrian was thrilled to have a baby brother. They were inseparable growing up and have remained close friends to this day. He attended pre-school at Oak Montessori School in Southfield, MI, Elementary School at Stevenson Elementary in Southfield, Middle School at Birney Middle School in Southfield MI and Dunkel Middle School in Farmington Hills, MI. He also attended and earned his diploma from Farmington Hills High School in Farmington Hills, MI, class of 2000.
Multitalented, Adrian also learned to play the piano at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, MI while still in elementary school. He earned several “Superior” awards for recitals he participated in. His high ranks on standardized tests earned him a place in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program at Stevenson Elementary.
Adrian always loved sports and especially, basketball. He began his lifelong quest by participating in the Police Athletic League (PAL) in Detroit, MI. He continued to play in Middle School and High School. By the 10th grade, he made it to Varsity and traveled with his teammates to several High schools, making history for the Farmington Hills “Raiders.” After graduation, Adrian attended and played basketball for Albion College in Albion, MI. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in 2004. After college, Adrian moved to Wake Forest, NC and began working for the Carolina Mudcats, in Zebulon, where he met his sweetheart, Lauren Van Arsdale. They married in 2012 in Raleigh, NC.
At 6’5 and 205 pounds, Adrian stood out from the crowd. Nevertheless, he was a gentle giant, immediately loved by babies, pets and everyone else he encountered throughout his life. He developed Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 28 but never let it stop him from living and enjoying life. Playing golf, riding his mountain bike, hiking, camping, volunteering, weight training, mentoring, attending and watching sporting events, and IPA and sour beer sampling were a few of his hobbies. But his favorite hobby was traveling the world. Adrian traveled to the following locations: The Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia, Scotland, Denmark and Greece.
Adrian is survived by his wife, Lauren Van Arsdale Bridges, of Stuttgart Germany, parents, Adrian D. Bridges, Sr., Angela K. (Hicks) Bridges, of Apex, In-laws, Danny Van Arsdale of, Southern Pines, Susan Monroe (Cecil) of Pinehurst, brother, Dorian E. Bridges, of Greensboro, sister In-Law, Sara Van Arsdale Laird (Tony) of Saint Augustine, FL, Aunts and Uncles, William A. Goodbar, (Essie), of Auburn Hills, MI, Deborah Bridges Williams (Jaye) of Beverly Hills, MI, Michal M. (Hicks) Jackson, (Reggie) of Durham, James D. Bridges, of Farmington Hills, MI, Rita R. Holliday, of Durham, Craig C. Hicks (Beverly), of Southfield, MI, Velvet (Hicks) Brown (Eli), of Durham, Damita Hicks-Salaam (Billy) of Chapel Hill, Kenneth B. Hicks (Alana) of Raleigh, and Shelley C. Hicks of Mebane. Two nephews, Beckett Laird of Saint Augustine, FL and Damian E. Bridges of Greensboro, and a host of extended family, cousins, and friends.
Multitalented, Adrian also learned to play the piano at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, MI while still in elementary school. He earned several “Superior” awards for recitals he participated in. His high ranks on standardized tests earned him a place in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program at Stevenson Elementary.
Adrian always loved sports and especially, basketball. He began his lifelong quest by participating in the Police Athletic League (PAL) in Detroit, MI. He continued to play in Middle School and High School. By the 10th grade, he made it to Varsity and traveled with his teammates to several High schools, making history for the Farmington Hills “Raiders.” After graduation, Adrian attended and played basketball for Albion College in Albion, MI. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in 2004. After college, Adrian moved to Wake Forest, NC and began working for the Carolina Mudcats, in Zebulon, where he met his sweetheart, Lauren Van Arsdale. They married in 2012 in Raleigh, NC.
At 6’5 and 205 pounds, Adrian stood out from the crowd. Nevertheless, he was a gentle giant, immediately loved by babies, pets and everyone else he encountered throughout his life. He developed Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 28 but never let it stop him from living and enjoying life. Playing golf, riding his mountain bike, hiking, camping, volunteering, weight training, mentoring, attending and watching sporting events, and IPA and sour beer sampling were a few of his hobbies. But his favorite hobby was traveling the world. Adrian traveled to the following locations: The Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia, Scotland, Denmark and Greece.
Adrian is survived by his wife, Lauren Van Arsdale Bridges, of Stuttgart Germany, parents, Adrian D. Bridges, Sr., Angela K. (Hicks) Bridges, of Apex, In-laws, Danny Van Arsdale of, Southern Pines, Susan Monroe (Cecil) of Pinehurst, brother, Dorian E. Bridges, of Greensboro, sister In-Law, Sara Van Arsdale Laird (Tony) of Saint Augustine, FL, Aunts and Uncles, William A. Goodbar, (Essie), of Auburn Hills, MI, Deborah Bridges Williams (Jaye) of Beverly Hills, MI, Michal M. (Hicks) Jackson, (Reggie) of Durham, James D. Bridges, of Farmington Hills, MI, Rita R. Holliday, of Durham, Craig C. Hicks (Beverly), of Southfield, MI, Velvet (Hicks) Brown (Eli), of Durham, Damita Hicks-Salaam (Billy) of Chapel Hill, Kenneth B. Hicks (Alana) of Raleigh, and Shelley C. Hicks of Mebane. Two nephews, Beckett Laird of Saint Augustine, FL and Damian E. Bridges of Greensboro, and a host of extended family, cousins, and friends.