Bernard A. Bailey

Bernard Allen Bailey, 93, from Dana Point CA. passed away on February 3, 2011 just two days after his 93rd birthday. Barney as his friends knew him, was born February 1, 1918 in Grinnell Iowa. Barney’s childhood was spent on a family farm with his parents, Manzel and Myrtle, and three sisters.

Barney attended and graduated from Grinnell College with a degree in business. Soon after, due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 Barney attempted to join the service but was turned down for being flat footed. This did not hold Barney back and he soon joined the US Coast Guard. Barney served the first part of the war as a PT boat commander on submarine patrol in the Caribbean and the second half of the war flying PBY recognizance planes performing search and rescue on the west coast. On one occasion Barney went against Coast Guard orders to not land his PBY on the ocean surface due to rough seas to rescue a downed Marine pilot. When Barney learned the nearest boat would take over two hours to reach the downed pilot he decided he could not survive that long in the rough seas and landed his plane to rescue the pilot. The Coast Guard was in the process of initiating a court martial for disobeying orders but dropped the charges when they learned the Marine corps would be awarding Barney with a metal. During this time in the Coast Guard in San Diego Barney met his wife Maurie and the two of them moved to Long Beach to raise their family, son Brent and daughter Elaine.

Barney rose up thru the ranks of Nutrilite and assumed a role as vice president of sales working closely with company president and CEO Sam Rehnborg. Golfing was a passion Barney shared with his wife Maurie for many years. Eventually Barney moved to Laguna Niguel where he became a member of the El Niguel Country Club and Laguna Niguel Rotary Club.

Barney spent the last years of his life living at Aegis of Dana Point where he was much loved by the residents and staff.

Barney will be missed by all who knew him and remembered for being a great father, grand father, and great grand father, his positive attitude, great sense of humor and Christian values.

Barney is survived by his daughter Elaine De Nault of San Clemente, son in law Steve De Nault, daughter in law Wilda Bailey, grandchildren Brandon and Cambria De Nault of San Clemente, Justin, his wife Candis and Christina Bailey, and great grand child Aiden Bailey of Auburn California.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barney's honor to th Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter at 17771 Cowan # 200 Irvine, CA 92614-6067.