Ira James Bailey

IRA JAMES BAILEY

Ira “James” Bailey, 80, of La Porte, Texas, embraced Jesus for the first time on Saturday, August 9, 2025. He was born on January 2, 1945 to James Bell Bailey and Una Lorene Bailey in Cherokee, Texas. James grew up in the Cloverleaf area.

He attended Galena Park High School and was a four-year letterman in football. After graduation, James was drafted into the US Army where he served his country for three years in Alaska.

James married the love of his life, Melanie Dianne Allmon, in 1968 and was happily married for 57 years. Their union blessed them with two daughters, Dori Michelle and Cari Sue. He and Dianne bought their first home in Pasadena, Texas in 1970.

James coached recreational football in the 70s and Cari’s softball teams in the 80s. He was a dedicated father that never missed a game, dance performance, choir concert, or any activity his girls were involved in.

After working as a welder/pipefitter for over 30 years at Lubrizol in Deer Park, Texas, James retired in 2000 and moved to La Porte, Texas.

James was a member of Second Baptist Church in both La Porte and Pasadena. He had a heart for service and often assisted in the kitchen, helped serve meals, and cleaned-up after activities. Many people describe James as being a kind man with a gentle soul. He always had a smile or mischievous grin on his face and often enjoyed playing pranks on people.

His retirement was spent with his grandkids, great-grandkids, and family. He enjoyed fishing and flounder gigging, and taking trips to Branson, Orlando, and Colorado. But, his favorite past-time was attending his grandkids baseball and softball games, and watching them perform with the La Porte High School band and orchestra.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James Bell Bailey and Una Lorene Bear, step-parents, Celeste Bailey and Marvin Bear, and sister, Dorothy Farrar. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Dianne Bailey, daughters, Dori Bailey Schreiner (Robert) and Cari Bailey McGowan (Freddy), brother, Max Bailey, half-sisters, Vanessa Parker (Matt) and Carolyn Gil, grandchildren, Sarah Schreiner Block (Jake), Preston McGowan and Allen Schreiner, and great-grandchildren, Charlotte Block, Juniper Knupple-Schreiner and Samuel Block.

A visitation will be held at Pasadena Funeral Chapel, located at 2203 Pasadena Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77502, on August 14, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at the same venue on August 15, 2025, starting at 11:00 am.

The committal service will follow at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505, on August 15, 2025, at 12:00 pm.