Kincheon Hubert Bailey Jr.

Lt. Colonel Kincheon Hubert "Bert" Bailey, Jr., age 92, died Sunday, 18 May 2014, at Transition LifeCare, Raleigh, NC. He was born in Zebulon, NC, 21 December 1921, the son of the late Colonel K. H. Bailey, MD, and Helen Williams Bailey of Arlington VA. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, T. Lou Williams Bailey of San Antonio TX, and sisters Mary Nancy Yeilding of FL., and Margaret Bailey Magathan of SC.

Surviving are his son, Kincheon Hubert Bailey III, daughters, Linda Lou Hux (Billy), Beth Ellen Bailey, Laura Jane Bailey and Nancy Margaret Brodd (Bob); grandson, Brandon William Hux (Susan), granddaughters, Brenna Hux Warner (Ernie), Lauren Hux Frazier (Brandon) and Bailey Anne Brodd; great grandchildren, Holley and Lucas Hux; Bryceson and Layla Frazier.

He is also survived by his youngest sister, Shelley Jane Cox (Linwood) of VA and brother in law General Wallace Clifton Magathan of FL.

Col. Bailey's personality was shaped largely by being the oldest and only son with 3 sisters. Although his family grew up during the depression, his life was enriched by traveling opportunities afforded by his father's service as an Army Doctor. Being the dutiful son and following in his father's footsteps, he studied for pre-med at Lake Forest College, IL. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he instead received commission for the USMA at West Point, NY, Class of ’45. It was during these years that he fell in love with T. Lou, his “Yellow Rose of Texas” and they married in 1948 at Fort Sam Houston, TX.

Following is the ‘45 Howitzer biography written by his roommate; “Influenced by no one, Bert set his own high goals, and with stern determination he accomplished them. West Point was a serious matter with Bert, duty and responsibility were always his first objectives, but under all conditions he had a smile and a joke to offer. Although a good all-around athlete, he devoted most of his time and energy to his ideal sport, baseball. His being an Army brat with no home didn’t hold back a strong claim to North Carolina as his homeland.” This quote held true throughout all his life.

Col. Bailey volunteered for the Korean War. During this war, he flew 614 combat hours, adjusted field artillery of all calibers, earned 10 Air Medals and received the Silver Star. In Okinawa, he was responsible for building 3 Amateur Radio Stations used for military maneuvers and allowing his troops to communicate with family back home. His love of radio communication continued throughout his life. His radio call signs were KR6OF, WSHEF, W4FMN and WB4TOP. His final PCS was to Fort Bragg, Special Warfare School, where he became a member of the 82nd Airborne Corps., where he earned the Green Beret and Sr. Paratrooper Wings. He retired in 1966.

In 1967, Col. Bailey earned his Masters in EE at Penn State University on a National Science Foundation award. Returning to NC, he joined the faculty at Wake Technical Community College, and taught for 25 years. While heading up the Electrical Engineering Department, he earned his PhD in Education, with an EE Minor, at NCSU in 1975. In 1985, he received the John Wiley-ASEE award.

Col. Bailey had many interests. He began running in 1978. His first race was the first Great Raleigh Road Race. He ran over 40 races per year for 13 years. He ran marathons from the ages 60-74. One of his best times was 3:53 at the age of 62. After an injury in 1992, he began actively swimming and participated in the Raleigh Wake Senior Games. He was a lover of music and played the piano from an early age. He began playing the trombone in 1986. He played with The Durham Community Concert Band, The Mount Olive Ensemble and The Shriner Sudan Band. He was a member of the Masons at the Raleigh Hiram #40 Lodge. He loved history and was proud of his southern heritage. He was an instrumental member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the MOSB. He authored The Resurgence of the SCV-MOSB in NC and Firing and Flying for the Field Artillery in Korea.

Col. Bailey could be spotted around Raleigh drinking a Coke and faithfully donning his 25th Infantry Division hat and his UNC Tarheels shirt in honor of his father's Alma Mater. He was "Airborne-ALL THE WAY!" He is a Tarheel born and a Tarheel bred and now, he is a Tarheel dead.

We will close with one of his favorite quotes, "So I crossed over the river to rest in the shade of yonder trees, I will depart with what I hope to be considered as a duty well done, honor untarnished and country served to the best of my ability."

Family and friends will gather at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street for visitation on Sunday, May 25th, from 5-7 pm.

There will be a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 at 2:00 pm with full military honors, followed by a reception at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home’s Wynne Center.

The family would like to thank the staff of the 5th floor at Rex Hospital and the staff at Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607, or VFW 917 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Condolences may be made thru www.brownwynne.com