James Otis Bridwell

James Otis Bridwell, 90, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at Wilcox Hall, Holston Valley Medical Center. Otis was the son of the late James and Mamie Monoah Montieth Bridwell. Born in Kingsport, he graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and attended the University of Tennessee, where he roomed with his brother, Ralph. Searching for a degree in horticulture, he left the Tennessee area and attended Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute at Farmingdale, New York. After completing his studies at Farmingdale, he returned to the Kingsport area. In his early years, Otis learned the "ropes" of buying, trading, and selling cattle from his father. For many years he worked and served on the board at Kingsport Livestock Auction. After college, he worked briefly at Holston Defense before taking a position at Tennessee Eastman Company. There he worked in the Personnel Department, hiring workers for the manufacturing areas of the plant. He retired from his job at Eastman in 1987 after 35 years of service. Otis met the young woman of his dreams, Rebecca (Becky) Louise Squires in early 1956, and he and she married that year. The two enjoyed 57 years together before Becky died in 2014. In addition to traveling with Becky, Otis spent time farming and developing properties. His developments include Bridwell Addition in Forest Hills (Hawkins County), Robindale, and Peppertree. His favorite pastime, however, was sharing stories with friends. Otis was a lifelong member of the First Broad Street United Methodist Church family. To his family, church family, and many other friends, he offered one statement with conviction: "I have had a good life!"

In addition to his parent and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, James Donald Bridwell and Charles Ralph Bridwell, Sr.; and his sisters, Lilliam Jo Quinn and Juanita "June" Lady.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews.

Entombment services will be at 12:00 noon Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Oak Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church.

When we meet up with Otis again, he will surely have some new adventure stories to share with us.

Cemetery Details