Our miracle boy, along with his dad, was unexpectedly taken from this earth to spend eternity in Heaven.
Bridger made his way into this world nine weeks early, weighing only 3 lbs, 3 oz., and being delivered in Missoula. Although he came into this world a little early, he has no medical problems and he demonstrated the strength we all knew he had.
Bridger was raised in Helena and was currently in fourth grade at Jim Darcy Elementary. He attended First Assembly of God Church.
Bridger was silly and playful, making everyone around him smile and laugh whenever possible. He was a bright light to our family that will shine forever.
Bridger loved fishing and hunting with his dad, brothers, and uncles. Bridger was excited to start Small Fry Football next year, something he has been practicing for all of his young life.
Bridger particularly liked his mom’s special chocolate chip pancakes, and refused anyone else’s. He was the household cookie monster and there was no place safe to hide them. Not a day would go by without needing beef jerky and pepper sticks in the house for Bridger.
Bridger loved spending time with family and friends. His favorite movies were Top Gun, Smokey and The Bandit, and Monsters, Inc. Bridger also loved playing a mean game of family BINGO, usually hoarding the good prizes.
Bridger will be greatly missed and he will live forever in our hearts. He has, by example, encouraged us all to tell the people we care about most that we love them. He always gave lots of hugs and smiles.
Bridger is survived by his mom, Pamela Hopcroft Hudyma; his brothers, David Strong II (Whitney Armstrong)of Ellensburg, WA; Kyle Strong of Helena; his step-mom, Parrish Strong of Helena; step-siblings, Caleb and Emily MacLean of Helena; grandparents, Paul and Cora Hopcroft of Missoula; Terrell Strong of Missoula, LeeRoy Strong and Esther Strong of Elliston; uncles and aunts, Roy and Sherry Strong of Billings; David and Jennifer Hopcropt of Stevensville; Lisa and Chip Weinrich of Spokane, WA; Kevin and Heather Strong of Boise,
ID; Patrick and Bettina Hopcropft of Stevensville; Phillip Hopcropft of Florence. He is also survived by numerous cousins, great uncles and aunts and many close family friends.
Visitation will take place at Retz Funeral Home on Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will take place 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2011, at Helena First Assembly of God, 2210 Dodge Avenue. Burial will take place at Ft. Harrison Montana Veteran’s Cemetery immediately following the service, where Bridger will be laid to rest beside his dad. Please join the family for a reception at Helena First Assembly, following the burial ceremony.
To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bridger, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Kelly and Connie Jerome says
Our prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your memories. God be with you all.
Sandy and Mary Sands says
Bridger,
We can’t believe that your gone from our lives, but your effervescent smile and personality have etched itself onto our hearts forever.
All our love,
Sandy, Mary and Savannah Sands
Windy Knutson says
Bridger’s family,
Our hearts go out to you and your family. It was way too early for them to go. Dustin will miss Bridger in class. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Windy, Aaron and Dustin
shelley Fogle says
you have my heartfelt sympathy. May GOD wrap his healing arms around you and your families at this difficult time. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Cynthia Stunich says
My darling Pam, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you and praying for you. May the lord keep you in his arms. I will call you soon my dear friend.
Mary Sands says
Wonderful beautiful boy–taken to soon and loved by so many. I am so glad that I have so many wonderful memories of Bridger. I feel very blessed to have had time with this special boy! Miss you honey–Love and prayers to all of the family!
With much sorrow and love,
Mary Sands
Carrie Frohreich says
I am truly sorry for this horrible tragedy. I am lost for words or what I can say to make anything better.. Peace and prayers. Pam… you and Kyle are especially in my heart at this time as well as family members. Peace and prayers.. ((hugs)).. Carrie
Tracy Racicot says
Bridger will be missed greatly at Jim Darcy. I had him for reading last year and I loved the fact that Bridger would constantly come up to me and read lines out of the book he was reading because he was enjoying it so much. Each time I passed him in the hall this year he had a smile, a hug, and that sparkle in his eye. I will miss him.
Kim LaBelle says
Pammy I am so sorry for you loss I wish there were words to make it better. Keep your faith and know you are held in God’s hands. I love you my dear friend.
The Peterson's says
To Bridger’s family, Tasha has been a classmate of Bridger’s since kindergarten. Bridger had such a contagious grin and positive attitude! Tasha will always remember how nice he was, how fast he could run, and the joy he brought to his classmates. The Jim Darcy community was a better place because he was there. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Shawn, Lisa, Katya, Cole and Tasha Peterson
Jolene Peavey says
Keep your faith close to you always and cherish the wonderful memories you have. Our prayers are with you and may God bless your family. We will never forget the smile that we received each time we saw Bridger.
The Peavey’s
Pamela says
You don’t know me but after reading about your tragic loss I just wanted your family to know it has touched many people’s hearts. My family recently lost a child to a untimely death and only through god’s grace have we been able to go on. God bless your family through this difficult time.
Laura Curtis says
I will always remember the brightness that shone from his face and his big grin, but mostly the kindness that I saw in his eyes. He had a big heart that often thought of others. I will treasure the time I had him in my class.
I know how hard of a time this is for his family, and I want to say how truly sorry I am that you have to suffer this loss. May God wrap you gently in His arms and keep you safe and warm.
Robynn says
I am so sorry for all who loved and lost this sweet little person! He was an absolute joy to have known and Pam somewhere up in heaven he is protecting a sweet little red haired girl from the other boys like he did for Lexie:) i love you.
Julie Hope says
Our hearts and prayers go out to Pam & Kyle and David’s wife, Parish, during this time of healing.
The Hopes,
Chris, Julie, Jessi & Kati
Charlotte Hafer says
Bridger was Nathanael’s friend (and neighbor) since kindergarden. He was a joy to have at the house when the two boys played. Nathanael will miss his friend dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jeanne Morigeau says
Bridger was a beacon of bright light any time he came in to my library. His face would light up when we would talk about his favorite books (Stink or Melvin Beederman). I was lucky to know him since Kindergarten and I watched him bloom. He was very proud of his accomplishments, but this really only came through when he gave me an impish grin. He was gentle and I’m thankful that our last interaction was giggling together over an old yearbook that had pictures of Kyle and his friends when they were in Kindergarten.
Bridger had a quality that made him stand out in a crowd and I was always happy to see his face in my classes. I will miss him terribly and my sympathies go out to his entire family. He was a true blessing.
Jenni Wilmot says
Kyle and family: You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Dan, Jen, Kelsey, Arpy, Travis, Kolter, Daltyne & Kodi
Debbie Cooper says
Dear David jr & family,
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family during this very difficult time. God Bless you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers. Debbie Cooper (jacey’s mom)
Jana Fauque says
i am so sorry for your lose. my little brother was friends with Bridger and will miss him greatly. He will missing playing football with him at recess…my heart goes out to you and your family. And you will be in my prayers.