James Palmer Bailey

Notes:

JAMES PALMER BAILEY

James Palmer Bailey, 83, entered into the presence and grace of our Lord, Sunday, January 12, 2003, when taken unexpectedly in an auto accident.

He was born April 19, 1919 in Elmina, Texas to William and Lula Bailey. The family moved to Baytown in 1920. Jim attended school at Goose Creek Independent School District. Employed by Exxon as a machinist, he was president of the Machinists Union and was an excellent arbitrator for his co-workers. Jim also loved music and was owner of Baytown According Center. During World War II, Jim was an infantry man, serving his country in the Aleutian Islands for 27 months and then in Germany in active combat. The men in his company called him "Grandpa" due to his age of 25 making him the elder. Jim believed that God spared his life during the war on several occasions because He had plans for him. His vocation was to carry the banner of justice, fighting long and hard for the rights of the people in our court system. Heading the group called C.A.L.M. (Citizens against Lawyer Monopoly); he helped many people through the system and worked hard to right judicial wrongs. He was tireless and passionate in politics, ever astounded at the machinations of an uncompassionate system. A true champion of the common people, Jim disdained arrogance and walked in the ways of humility, a generous and gentle soul. Jesus said, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill"(Mt. 5, 6). Jim was, is indeed blessed. His most prized possessions were his wife and his eight children, their husbands and wives, and his 21 grandchildren. We will miss him so.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Bernice Bailey, his eight children, Terri (Terese) VanMatre and her husband Joe of Spring; Jennifer Diane Sanders and her husband Terry of Mont Belvieu; Donna Grace and her husband Mike of Colleyville; James Bailey, Jr. and his wife Laura of Bellville; Mark Bailey and his wife Donna of Richardson; Lisa LeCates and her husband David of Spring; Stan Bailey of Las Cruces New Mexico and Kristina McGuire and her husband Scott of Eagle Mountain Lake. He is also survived by his grandchildren, John David and Bradley Busiek; Donna (Tappi), Kristen and Jessica Sanders, Ryan, Chelsea, Kelly and Sean Grace, Rhea and Khyle Bailey, Whitney, David, Bradley, Like and Mark Daniel Bailey, James, Matthew and Christopher LeCates; Bailey and Jonathan McGuire. He is also survived by his brother Bob and Dorothy of Bandera; his sisters, Geraldine Crawford of Highlands; Floreine Nalley of Baytown; Frances Lund and her husband Charles of Baytown; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by in-laws, Bob and Peggy Prosen of Mount Iron, Minnesota and Stan and Arlene Prosen of Winona, Minnesota and his life long friend Vernon Tuck of Bastrop.

Visitation will be from 5 - 9 p.m. with vigil service at 7 p.m. today, January 14, 2003 at the chapel of L.A. Crespo Funeral Directors.

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1907 Carolina St., Rev. Skip Negley, M.S. celebrant.

Arrangements are under the direction of L.A. Crespo Funeral Home, 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown, 281-839-0700. www.lacrespofunerals.com

James married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living
4. Living
5. Living
6. Living
7. Living
8. Living