Paul Russell Bridges Sr.

Paul Russell Bridges, Sr., age 60, a resident of New Castle, lost his fight to brain cancer, Glioblastoma on September 25, 2015 at home. He was born December 30, 1954 in New Castle, Indiana to the late Russell E. and Bettie L. (Woods) Bridges. Paul married Kimberly (Dick) in Nassau, Bahamas January 11, 1985.

Paul was the head karate instructor and Sensei at the Bridges Karate Academy in Knightstown, Indiana. Paul has practiced the art of Okinawan GoJu-Ryu Karate for over 42 years. Throughout his career as a martial artist he had won many awards and traveled the world, including Moscow, Russia, and Tbilisi, Georgia.

In 1974, he started to train with the Komakai Academy of Karate with Allen Goff and Mr. Glenn Keeney, where he was introduced to Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate and the Komakai Program. In 1982, he started teaching and running his first Dojo in New Castle, Indiana. During this time, Paul won every major sport karate tournament in the mid-west in his respective division while training as a Full Contact Kick Boxer. During these early 80’s under the guidance of Mr. Keeney, Paul was blessed with advice and training from Americas best fighters and trainers at the time. A career highlight came in 1983, when he appeared in a nationally televised ESPN, Professional Karate Association (PKA) Full Contact bout. Paul knocked his opponent out in 54 seconds of the first round.

Paul was promoted to black belt in November, 1983. In 1984, Paul moved to Atlanta, Georgia offering Karate training at two Atlanta area recreational facilities while continuing to train and compete, winning many of the South’s most prestigious events. With his most gratifying demonstration at the 1993 Bushido Invitational winning Black Belt Kata and Senior Black Belt Men’s Fighting.

In 1990, Paul was appointed The PKC Georgia State Director until his return to Indiana in 1996. He actively competed in Karate tournaments for 18 consecutive years from 1978 to 1996. In March of 2012, Paul started Bridges Karate Academy, 22 Franklin St, Knightstown, IN. December 27, 2014, Paul was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt.
Many of Paul’s awards include: USKA Indiana State Karate Champion: 1978, 1979, 1980, Battle of Atlanta, Kata and Fighting: 1979, USKA National Fighting Champion: 1981, 1982, Gateway Open Fighting: 1982, Grand Champion 10th Prairie States Karate Championship: 1983, PKC Kata and Fighting Champion: 1993, PKC State Director of the Year: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, PKC Man of the Year: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, Outstanding Tournament Judge: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, The Eddie Bethea Humanitarian Award: 2013, Sonny Johnson Humanitarian Award: 2015.

Paul was a judge for the Indiana 911 Slugfest and Guns and Hoses Charity Police and Fire Boxing. He was also actively involved for many years with the PKC Kickboxing as a referee and judge. Paul enjoyed being involved with young people and the community. He was a positive influence for everyone he met, he was always willing to take the time and assist where he was needed.

Paul was a long time member of the Atlanta Woodworkers Guild in Atlanta, Georgia where they proclaimed him with the title of Master Woodworker. When he returned to New Castle in 1996 he founded the Hoosier Woodworkers Guild which still meets at the Arts Park.

Paul was a lifelong member of the Spiceland Friends Meeting in Spiceland, Indiana. He was a 1973 graduate from Tri Jr. Sr. High School. Paul was a member of the Knightstown Masonic Lodge.

Paul is survived by his wife, Kimberly S. (Dick) Bridges; three children, Aundrea (Randy) Dailey of New Castle, Brittany (Brandon) Kloer of Portland, and Paul Russell Bridges, II, of Lafayette, IN; six grandchildren, Emma, Kali, Isabel, Madilyn, Avery, and Connor Dailey, his brother, Stephen (Carol) Bridges, of Bear, DE, and his sister, Terrie (Richard) Claycomb of Hartford City, IN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Gabriel Paul Bridges, his in-laws, Robert (Sonny) Dick and Linda Simerly.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Sid Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2015 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Paul Bridges Memorial Fund c/o Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, 3406 S. Memorial Dr., New Castle, IN 47362. Condolences and memories of Paul may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .