Theodore Roosevelt High School Class of 1959 - Latest News
09-09-2021 - Jim Bailey Obituary
James Richard Bailey, 80, of Ottumwa, died at 7:40 p.m. August 20, 2021 at Hospice House in Ottumwa.
He was born January 24, 1941 in Des Moines to Harlan and Mellie McKee Bailey.
A graduate of Des Moines Roosevelt High School and William Penn University, he also attended Drake University. Jim worked 42 years for the Iowa Department of Transportation, retiring in 2007.
Jim was a kind, thoughtful and generous man. He loved his family, friends and sports of all kinds. He coached many boys in basketball; including one young man who made it all the way to the National Hoop Shoot Championship in Massachusetts. Jim loved to participate in the Iowa Games, where he won many gold medals for free-throws. He was an active member in the Grinnell and Ottumwa communities. He was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1266, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grinnell and First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa.
He mentored many young men in the confirmation instructions. He was always there to lend a hand. You would often find him in the kitchen washing dishes. Jim never knew a stranger and was genuinely interested in everyone he met. He volunteered for the Mississippi Valley Blood Bank and the Lord’s cupboard in Ottumwa. He loved music and dancing, when he heard a beat, he was the first on the dance floor.
Surviving is his wife, Susie; their children, Doug (Danielle) Bailey, Kimberly Bailey, Kristi (Wesley) Fox Eileen (Michael) Walker, Anne (Dayne) Martin and Pam (Evan) Martin; 6 grandchildren, Drew Bailey, Davis Bailey, Spencer (Ashley) Walker, Emily Plemmons, Alex (Laura) Gohn and Kimberley Chipello; and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, George Bailey.
His body has been cremated. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 28th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Johnson of First Lutheran Church officiating. For those unable to attend, you may watch live on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. His family will be present one hour prior to the service to greet friends.
Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
