05/19/2000
Funeral services for Thomas Amos Bailey I, 78, of Knoxville, who died Friday, May 19, 2000, at his home, were held Monday, May 22 at 11 a.m. at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Reverend John Long officiated at the services. Jim Kidder was the organist and Katie Davis was the vocalist-guitarist.
Burial of cremains, with Military Honors provided by V.F.W. John Myers, Post No. 3519 and American Legion Baty-Tucker Post No. 168, was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Honorary casket bearers were Curt Balmer, Davey Agan, Jenny Van Ryswyk, Michalene Wilson, Tammy Geil, Jody Agan, Ty Van Ryskwyk William Barnett, and Tab Bailey.
Tom was born on September 2, 1921, in Marion County the son of William Harvey Bailey and Gladys (Stittsworth) Bailey.
He was raised in the Knoxville area and was a standout athlete at Knoxville High School, receiving a black letter before he graduated in 1941. After graduation, Tom worked at Hunter’s Clothing and the Hawkeye Mill.
He also worked at the arsenal in Burlington before he was inducted into the United States Navy in 1942. After completing boot camp, Tom was married to Arlene Jones on March 8, 1942, in Princeton, Mo. Tom was discharged in 1948 and the couple moved back to Knoxville.
Tom went to work for the V.A. Hospital and was in the Engineering Department at the time of his retirement in 1979.
Tom enjoyed farming in his spare time, as well as attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. He was a member of the American Federation of Government Employees, Farm Bureau, American Legion BatyTucker Post No. 168, and a life member and past post commander of the V.F.W. John Myers Post No. 3519.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Betty, Bonnie, and Patricia; one brother, Alva John; one daughter, Twinalyn Clark; one granddaughter, Tracy Van Ryswyk; and one grandson, Kenneth Lindaman.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arlene; three daughters, Alonna Gass of Dallas, Jennifer Bailey of Clear Lake, and Tomma Lou Borchert of Grimes; one son, Thomas Amos Bailey II of Knoxville; one brother, Jack Bailey of Knoxville; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Central Iowa or the Imagefinder for the Knoxville Fire Department.
Arrangements were made by the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville.