Gary Barton Bailey

Gary B. Bailey was born in Centralia, WA, to Everett Dean Bailey and Otha Angel Bailey. His early years were spent in Yakima, but due to his father’s business, several moves were required. Gary attended Coeur D’ Alene High School in Id. He formed some lasting friendships, being part of the “BBs”….Eight strapping lads:

Bill Riggs, John Holmes, Doug MacCallum, Duane Hopkins, Duane Cruz, Bob Thomas, Ron Vickrey, and Gary Bailey. Ron was the last one invited to join this group of fine young men and believes an underlying factor was that his dad was in the State Police!!!

Did you know that GB loved to sing? He, Ron, Bob, and one other knew a piano playin’ gal formed a band. They were known as “The Four Roses and a Fifth”. The group recorded a couple of records that went nowhere so they pressed on to other interests.

Gary graduated high school in 1948 and he and a couple of BBs signed up for the Navy Reserve.

In the meantime, he attended North Idaho Junior College for 2 years,’48-’50. Then after requesting active duty, GB was sent to Pensacola, Florida, where as a NAVCAD he was trained to fly. He received his wings November 7, 1952.

Gary’s biggest thrill was carrier landings. His first landing was in 1952 on the USS Monterey while still in Flight School.

His deployment included cruises near Korea, WESTPAC, then San Diego. At North Island Gary was a flight inspector/trainer for T-33s. Time up, he left active duty, and attended Washington State University. Loving life AND work, he flew F-9 Cougars in a reserve squadron out of NAS Spokane.

Ever busy, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy in 1958. He began working in the pharmacy field, but Gary was also flying S-2 Grumman Trackers at NAS Seattle.

Recalled to active duty in 1961 for the Cuban Crisis, Gary served another year. With that assignment handled, our hero goes to Nez Perce, Idaho, to open his very own drug store!

Gary was recalled to active duty in 1967! He did many carrier landings on the USS Oriskany during the Viet Nam War. Gary had a total of 43 successful carrier landings! From there he was sent from Alameda to NAF China Lake in 1970.

He has flown many planes…C-1A, C-131, C-117, T-39, C-47, the Gooney Bird, his beloved Buffalo, but his favorites of old are the A-1 Skyraider and the Hellcats.

In a 1985 interview with Linda Lou Crosby, Gary was asked: “I can see that you would never have done anything different than you did.” G.B.’s answer: “No, I probably wouldn’t. I would do the whole thing all over again.”

He continued flying and in 1985, Gary was busy flying and instructing in the Buffalo, T-39, Cessna 404 & 421.

Besides flying, Big G enjoyed folk dancing, square dancing, hiking, fishing, skiing, Off-road 4-wheeling and traveling! He volunteered at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest, CA, and led tours through the Petroglyph canyons near China Lake Naval base. He loved bus trips with the Irvine Senior Travelers, even giving a fine narration while passing through Mono, Inyo, and East Kern Counties.

Gary attended the Tailhook Reunions, the Naval Aviation Reunions, former squadron members yearly and his High School Reunions! Don’t forget the BB’s – they met every year for a vacation together.

Bailey’s favorite all-time movie? “The High and The Mighty” with John Wayne. Can you hear him whistling that theme song now?

Gary had more than a fair share of tragedy in his life, but he conquered it and pressed on and was a generous and loving person. He was a dedicated family man. All members of the Bailey and Soeder families are in debt to Gary for his constant generous interceding on their behalf to ensure that their lives were going forward and not sideways.

Always a friend, whether being a stranger or longtime friend, you were hooked with knowing and loving Gary.

Gary Barton Bailey of Irvine, California passed away on October 2, 2015. A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2015 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 9:30 am at the Westminster Memorial Park with a shelter service at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Prostate Cancer Foundation

1250 Fourth Street

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 893-2421