Father-Figure’s Death Simply Doesn’t Figure

David Bridgers is a 30-year-old grocer from Wilmington, N.C., who lives in a trailer with his pregnant wife and 3 1/2-year-old daughter.

He came to North Carolina from South Dakota when he was child, and there he has remained.

But his life has not been as routine as his surroundings because he met Michael Jordan on a Little League baseball field more than two decades ago.

Bridgers became a fixture in the Jordan home as the young boys’ relationship blossomed. After David’s parents divorced when he was 7, James Jordan--Michael’s father--became Bridgers’ father-figure.

“He stepped right on in there, he treated me just like his kids,” Bridgers recalled Friday night after authorities identified James Jordan’s body as the one found in a South Carolina creek Aug. 3. Cause of death was a single gunshot wound in the chest.

“I don’t have a clue (as to what happened),” Bridgers said quietly. “That’s the worst part about the whole thing. Just not knowing. When somebody dies, you want to get yourself back together, pick your life up and go on.”

Jordan, 57, was missing for three weeks, and the family had not filed a missing persons report. Bridgers knew nothing of this until hearing news reports Thursday. Still, Friday’s news took him aback.

“This is a tough blow to a lot of people,” Bridgers said. “Anyone will tell you Mr. J always had a smile on his face. If you were feeling low, you went to see Mr. J because he could cheer you right up.”

Bridgers had not seen his surrogate father much since James Jordan moved his family from Wilmington to Charlotte in 1985. The last time they were together was December, when they were in Chicago to watch a Bulls’ game.

After the game, Bridgers, James and Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson shot pool and talked about movies at Michael’s home. Bridgers had asked James Jordan what he planned to do once his latest business venture ended.

“He said, ‘I’m just going to lay back and enjoy my grandkids and spend time with my kids and wife,’ ” Bridgers said. “He was happy-go-lucky. . . . you saw it on his face.”

Bridgers said that although the death was a shock, it has caused him to reflect on his and Michael’s life.

“If I can say anything to Mike, I’d say, ‘Just slow down. No one is guaranteed tomorrow,’ ” Bridgers said.

“I don’t think (Michael will) be in basketball much longer. People tend to forget that (he) is human. He wants to take his kids to the movies or to the zoo. To really spend time instead of having to say, ‘Excuse me, I have to sign this autograph.’

“Somebody needs to give him some time. That’s what Mr. J would have said.”