Toledo Speedway

James M. (Jim) Bridge, whose career as an ARCA racing official spanned 50 years from the 1960s to the 2000s, passed away at home in Seminole Florida on December 26, 2023, at the age of 88.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, he began his career as the track electrician at Toledo Speedway working for promoters and ARCA founders John and Mildred Marcum. He went on to oversee weekly racing activities in the pit area at the ARCA sanctioned tracks at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways as Chief Pit Steward, eventually transitioning to officiating in the ARCA Menards Series where he traveled the circuit for over 20 years. Each of Jim’s children, Julie, Jenny, Mike and John, followed in his footsteps working at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

Jim Bridge attended Macomber High School, going on to serve in the United States Navy and was an honorably discharged Korean War Veteran. He remained an active member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Over the course of his well lived life, Jim was proud to say he held over fifty job titles, eventually retiring from State Auto Insurance Company as a Claim Supervisor. In addition to his full-time working career and being an ARCA Official, he was Commodore of the Ottawa River Yacht Club and Associated Yacht Clubs, dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, fishing trip host on his boat on Lake Erie, golfer and “The Mayor of Gulf Boulevard.” When asked how things were going, the always-optimistic Jim would invariably answer, “Perfect!”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Donald Bridge and Mildred Martin and son-in-law Mike Odorzynski. Jim is survived by Lois, his loving wife of 63 years; daughters Julie Odorzynski (Jim Yankovich) and Jennie (Mitch) Whitcomb; sons Mike Bridge (Tami) and John Bridge (Jennifer); and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Services were held at Reese Funeral Home, Seminole Florida. Donations can be made to VFW Post 9272.