Gerald L. Bailey's Obituary
Gerald L. “Jerry†Bailey, age 72, a resident of Fredonia, died Saturday, December 20, 2008 at St. Francis Harry Hynes Hospice Unit in Wichita, Kansas. He was born March 2, 1936 in Neodesha, Kansas the son of Glen Wilford and Violet Bernice (Leffingwell) Bailey. After the death of his parents Jerry was raised by his aunt and uncle, Sandy and Frankie Sanderson.
After high school and two years of college Jerry joined the United States Navy earning the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. On September 20, 1956 Jerry was united in marriage to Evelyn Mae Maas in Pensacola, Florida. After his Navy career Jerry worked as an engineer tech for Boeing and later worked for American Airlines. He worked for the Sportmen Service Station in Fredonia. In 1976 Jerry became an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance in Fredonia and retired in 1991.
As a young man Jerry played semi pro football in Florida for the Key West Jaguars. He enjoyed hunting and woodworking. He served on the rec commission, coached little league baseball and loved watching his kids and grandkids play sports.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn Bailey of Fredonia, Kansas, one son Chris Bailey and his wife Angela of San Antonio, Texas, three daughters; Lynn Thornton and her husband Gary of Independence, Kansas, Lianne Mills and her husband Nathan of Rockaway, New Jersey, and Lora Plante of Wichita, Kansas, eight grandchildren; Aaron Bailey, Trey Thornton, Allison Bailey, Sarah Bailey, Caitlyn Mills, Bryce Plante, Keaton Mills, and Claire Mills and cousin Pat Sanderson of Fredonia, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and Sandy and Frankie Sanderson.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 1:30 PM at Countryside Funeral Home in Fredonia with Mike Myers officiating. Contributions are suggested to either Harry Hynes Hospice or the Fredonia High School Athletic Department and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, Kansas.
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