James Lewis “Jim” Bailey Sr., 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 17, 2016, at his home with his family at his bedside.
He is survived by his children James L. (Midge) Bailey, Theresa B. (Sam) Pryor, Mark (Pam) Bailey and Bonnie Bailey (George) Nichols; grandchildren Kelsey Zorc, Ashley (Matthew) Grall, Colby and Sean Pryor, Tracy (William) Heidtman, Jesse (Linnea) Bailey; great-grandchildren Declan and Kaelyn Grall; and a brother Jerry Bailey.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years Helen Wright Bailey and brother Bo “Lamar” Bailey.
Bailey was born April 7, 1928, to Jack and Velma Lucille (nee Knight) Bailey. A native of Vero Beach, Bailey was a 1947 graduate of Vero Beach High School. He enlisted in the US Marine Corp in 1950 and retired in 1970 as a Master Sergeant. After retiring from the USMC, he served as Executive Vice President/General Manager of Oslo Citrus Growers from 1970 -1992.
It was Sept. 18, 1953 that he married Helen Augusta Wright in Fort Lauderdale. Together they raised their four children through the trials of a career serviceman and maintained a sense of community responsibility.
Bailey was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a founder of the Indian River Detachment of the Marine Corp League, serving as 1st and 2nd Commandant, served on the Board of Directors of Christian Migrant Workers, the Board of Directors of the Indian River Citrus League Labor Committee as well as the Labor Committee of Florida Citrus Mutual. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Indian River County Mental Health Association and 1984 Assistant Campaign Chairman of The United Way.
He was a volunteer for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department at the Courthouse, the Vero Beach Police Department Community Service Neighborhood Watch and the Indian River Medical Center Auxiliary.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 Attn: Gift Processing.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2016 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a prayer service beginning at 6 p.m. Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. Helen Catholic Church.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com
