James Leon Bailey
James Leon Bailey
Dec. 24, 1925~May 26, 2015
James Leon Bailey, born Dec. 24, 1925, left this Earth on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
He was born in Spicewood, Texas, to Oscar and Margaret Bailey.
He was preceded in death by: his mother and father; sisters, Edith and Valree; brother, Carl, and son, Michael.
Survived by: his wife, Anita; daughters, Judy Bailey of Utopia and Kristie Eason of Marble Falls; grandsons, Josh and Bailey Jackson, Ace and Jett Eason; granddaughter, Tori Bailey of Beeville; great-granddaughters, Kiera Lynn and Kaitlynn of Beeville; sister, Norma Lee Tomison of Austin; loving nieces, nephews and so many friends.
He loved his family and loved his friends.
Leon and Anita were married 47 years as of this year on May 18, 2015.
They made a home in Spicewood in 1972 on the Old Home place of Leon’s parents.
Leon served his country in the U.S. Navy at the early age of 18. He was on the USS Franklin.
On March 19, 1945, the USS Franklin was hit by two piercing bombs.
The casualties totaled 724 killed and 265 wounded, and would have exceeded this number except for the heroic work of many of the survivors. Leon was one of those survivors!
From the blown up ship he was rescued and finished his tour of duty on the USS Enterprise (Gray Ghost) with Admiral Nimitz. He spent 23 months overseas.
He worked for Armored Motor Service in Austin and was there helping victims of the infamous UT Tower shooting. He was also on the Austin Police force.
He was in charge of the Central Freight in Marble Falls and was also a rancher, hunter, fisherman and, above all, he was a loving son, father and husband.
He loved taking care of all the livestock. He loved his family, his kinfolk and his friends.
He loved the country life in Spicewood! He loved shredding the fields, grading the road and especially loved teaching his grandson, Josh, how to run his tractor to do the same.
He leaves behind a history of love, hard work and inspiration to all of those who touched his life.
In lieu of flowers, the famiy asks that donations be made in his honor to the Spicewood VFD & EMS, P.O. Box 2, Spicewood, Texas 78669. They are just the best!
Donations can also be made to the Highland Lakes Honor Guard, P.O. Box 106, Bluffton, Texas 78607
Arrangements under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. Online condolences can be made at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com
