James Floyd Bailey

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of James Bailey, who died peacefully on May 7 at Coulee Community Hospital at the age of 89. Jim was a true example of a life well lived, and he always felt a deep appreciation for everything he had been given, including the excellent care he received over the past months at CCH.

Jim was a devout parishioner of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, who said that he believed we should all live by the tenets of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”. Locals know him from his numerous volunteer efforts, helping his neighbors and his community in many ways, including at the church, the food bank, and the golf course.

Jim was beloved by his family, a friend to all who met him, and a pillar of his community. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered as a gregarious, caring, giving, family man with an endearing sense of humor.

Jim was born to Carl and Marie (Bremgartner) Bailey at home on June 20, 1936, at St Urban near the town of Winlock, WA. He spent his early years there and in 1958 joined the US Army in advance of being drafted. In the Army, he was trained and specialized in missile guidance systems and electronic meteorology equipment. After his time in the Army, he worked on numerous missile systems and digital data handling systems for the military all over the US. In 1964 he went to work for General Electric’s Process Control Computer Systems in Phoenix, AZ. At GE, and later Honeywell, Jim worked on numerous control systems for steel mills, cement plants, military projects, and electrical power systems throughout the US.

In Phoenix, Jim met the love of his life, Mary Jane Pfeifer, by arranging to move into the apartment across the hall and following her into the laundry room. It was love at first sight for Jim and he didn’t leave her side for the next 60 years. Together they raised two children, and they were deeply devoted to their family.

In 1975 Jim moved with his family to Electric City to assist in the automation of Grand Coulee Dam. He retired from that position in 1994. Jim also consulted on the automation of several hydroelectric projects throughout the world including Guri Dam in Venezuela, Itaipu in Brazil, and several smaller projects in China. After retirement, Jim assisted Mary Jane, part time, at Baileywick Realty for a few years. They traveled extensively, including international travel to Africa, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Sweden, Denmark, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.

Jim was preceded in death by brothers, Bill, Dave and Don, and sisters, Betty (Isaacson) and infant Marjorie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Jane; son Scott and daughter-in-law, Junko; daughter Debra and son-in-law Glenn Whitman; four grandchildren, Kai and Aydan Bailey and Grace and Owen Whitman; and numerous nieces and nephews that he was very fond of.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Grand Coulee on Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 am with a lunch to follow. He will be buried on June 20 at the St. Urban Catholic Cemetery (Winlock, WA) alongside his family with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Henry's Catholic Church (PO Box 519, Watervillle, WA 98855) or St. Urban’s would be appreciated.