Harry Herman Bailey Jr.

Harry H. Bailey Jr. passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 13th 2025 with his children in attendance, almost three years to the day after Luisa Bailey passed away in 2022.

Harry Herman Bailey Jr. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Luisa Castillo Bailey. Also preceding him were his Father Harry Herman Bailey Sr., his Mother Erna Hall-Brown, his Step Mother Francis (Marston) Bailey, his Sister Dianne Caldwell (Bailey).

Born in Lynchburg Virginia in 1931, Harry Bailey met and married Luisa Castillo Bailey in 1955 in Harlingen Texas. Harry and Luisa raised three children, Mark, Stuart, and Brenda who survive him and are here today.

Harry served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1982. CMSGT Bailey entered service as a Navigator Cadet on B-25’s and spent the greater portion of his career as a Pneudraulic/ Hydraulic Instructor beginning with B-57/ B-58 bombers and F102/ F104/ F105/ F106 fighters. Harry was deployed numerous times including five overseas PCS tours. One to Germany and two to the Philippine Islands, two tours in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Among his distinguished Military awards was the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm device, awarded for extreme valor under enemy fire and only awarded at the highest level. We believe this was awarded for a Search and Rescue Mission that he was on as a Helicopter Crew Chief.

Stateside tours included Harlingen Field, Lackland Air base, Tyndall Air Base where Mark was born, Richards-Gebaur Air Base where Stuart and Brenda were born, Norton Air Base, and Andrews Air Base. CMSGT Bailey retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (Aircraft Maintenance Manager) at Luke Air Base after 30 years of proud Military service.

After retiring from the US Air Force, Harry served a further 11 years as a Mail Carrier in Glendale AZ later retiring from the US Postal Service in 1993. Harry has always devoted his life and his service to caring for others. As the Co-Founder, President and Vice President of the Luke Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA) Harry went on to serve as Arizona State AFA President. Harry always advocated for Veterans, raising over $250,000 through the AFA, as well as providing Leadership to the AFA Wounded Warrior Program and the AFA AFJROTC Grant Program.

Harry supported Youth programs at the Glendale Boys and Girls Club as the Boys and Girls Club President from 1985 to 1993. As President, Harry raised $100,000 to upgrade the Club facility.

Harry was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol from 1985 to 1990, including acting as Mission Commander. Harry was one of the pilots that tested the Southern US Radar coverage in the 1990’s as a Civil Air Patrol Pilot.