Kenneth J. Bailey

January 13, 1948 -- November 10, 2015

Kenneth Joseph Bailey, 67, passed away of natural causes in his Irvine, CA home on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Ken was born in Eureka, CA in 1948 to Dr. Kenneth P. and Irene M. Bailey. He attended Pacific HS in San Bernardino, CA, graduating in 1966. An outstanding three-sport athlete, he was selected All-CIF (football), earned numerous all-league awards, and was honored as Pacific's Athlete of the Year his senior year.

Ken began his college education at UCLA where he was the recipient of a football scholarship until a knee injury ended his athletic career prematurely. He continued his education at UC Irvine where he received a B.A. in Art. At Chapman University, he earned a M.A. in Educational Management Systems.

As an educator, Ken’s career started in 1970 at University HS in Irvine where he taught art and history and coached football. In 1978, he assumed the position of Assistant Principal at University and, in 1990, at Woodbridge HS. He was also the principal of SELF. In 2004, after 34 years of dedicated service to Irvine students and parents, Ken retired. He was well known for “connecting with those students who couldn’t connect with anyone else” and made a huge impact on the lives of many Irvine families. Ken was a dedicated student advocate who committed himself to improving the lives of all his students.

In the 1970s, Ken was instrumental in the development of the Irvine Teachers' Association. He held numerous leadership positions within the ITA and often remarked that he felt one of his greatest contributions to education in the Irvine School District was how he was able to support teachers' rights through these positions. When he moved into the role of an administrator, he was proud to be known as a “teacher’s administrator.”

On the personal side, Ken was an imposing yet gentle figure with a wicked sense of humor and a clever wit. He was quite an amateur Civil War historian. He enjoyed traveling around the world, especially cruising, with family and friends. A photography buff, he adorned the walls of his home with photos from his voyages and travels. He was an accomplished ceramicist, an excellent skier, handball player, golfer and body surfer, and he loved rock and roll. His love of the ocean and the world of surfing led him to visit Hawaii, Polynesia and the Caribbean many times during his life.

Ken was preceded in death by his loving parents Kenneth P. Bailey and Irene Marie Bailey, who he held in high esteem and loved deeply. He was a devoted son.

Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth James Bailey; his grandchildren, Michael Bailey and Erin Capella; his sister, Darlene Bailey; and niece, Hailey Pharmer.

A public memorial will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, at the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar.

Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth James Bailey; his grandchildren, Michael Bailey and Erin Capella; his sister, Darlene Bailey; and niece, Hailey Pharmer.

A public memorial will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, at the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar.