07/14/2024
James Thomas Bailey was born June 26, 1932, in Knoxville, Iowa (at the foot of Coal Port Hill) the son of Charlie and Mille (Kingrey) Bailey.
Jim graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1950.
On October 6, 1951, he was united in marriage to Jackie Graves.
Two children were born of this union, Teresa and Daryl.
Jim worked for Tom Young at Marion County Produce.
Jim and Pat Gullion eventually bought the business in the 1970s and operated it until closing in 1998.
He served on the Knoxville Township Rural Fire Department for 44 years and was a member of the Knoxville City Council for 8 years.
He also farmed with his brothers-in-law for years. In later years, when he couldn’t farm, he supervised Kent Chrisman
farmed the ground.
Jim loved the farm; he made daily trips with his dog Sadie. In addition to working the land, he
enjoyed fishing in the pond and watching the eagle’s nest at the farm.
Jim liked to hunt in the area and made several trips to Elk Mountain in Wyoming to hunt.
He was always available to help his friends and neighbors with snow removal and mowing.
Jim was most proud of his family; he cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and in-laws.
Jim passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024, at West Ridge Specialty Care at the age of 92 years.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa Wilson, and siblings: Harold, Lena Mae, Marion, and Marvin.
Those left to honor Jim’s memory include his loving wife of 72 years, Jackie; son Daryl (Beverly)
Bailey; grandchildren: Chad (Angela) Bailey and their children: Alex and James and Luke (Ashley Ales)
and her daughter, Sophia Brad (Elise) Wilson, and their children: Everly and Marlaina; Leah (Jonathan)
McFadden and their children: Ruby and Henry; and many other family members and friends.