Jasper Bailey

A Celebration of Life service for Jasper Newton Bailey Jr. (Jap), 89, of Cookeville will be held Sunday, January 27th, 2pm at Washington Avenue Baptist Church with burial in Crestlawn Cemetery will full military honors. The family will receive friends Saturday, January 26th, 4-8pm at Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home and prior to the funeral service Sunday January 27th from 1-2pm at Washington Avenue Baptist Church. Mr. Bailey passed away Thursday, January 24th, 2013 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 18, 1923 in Sparta, TN to Jasper Newton and Mae Barlow Bailey. TSgt Bailey served in the US Army Air Corp's 15th Air Force from 1943 to 1945, flying 50 bombing missions over Europe as a radio gunner on a B-17 crew and volunteering for 25 additional missions in the China-Burma-India theater. On June 6, 1945 he was missing in action in Burma for two weeks after bailing out of his B-24 aircraft. He was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, three Bronze Stars, one Silver Star and various campaign medals and commendations. He was a member of Post 46 of the American Legion for over 60 years. He graduated from Cookeville High School and received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at Tennessee Tech in 1948. He later founded the Bailey Home Decorating & Supply Company which became Colormagic. In recent years he pursued his hobby of collecting and trading Indian Relics. He was a charter member of Park View United Methodist Church serving as Chairman of the Board, Sunday School teacher, and on various committees. He was presently a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church. Jasper was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed the company of young people, starting the Bailey Football League in the 1970's and quarterbacking until he was 71 years old. He was a talented woodworker and known as "Mr. Fix-it" by his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Frances Rhea Bailey (whom he married on July 10, 1948 in Cookeville), one daughter, Elaine Bailey (Jon) Jones of Murfreesboro; two sons, David Rhea (Dana) Bailey of Cookeville, Wayne Dillard (Monica) Bailey of VA Beach, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Lauren Bailey (Adam) Crosslin, Lindsey Bailey (Victor) Martinez, Anna Lee Bailey, and David Taylor Bailey all of Cookeville, and MacKennon, Maggie & George Bailey all of Virginia Beach, two great-grandchildren, Milo & Milly Kate Crosslin of Cookeville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Kathy Bailey and his sister Barbara Bailey Francis. Pallbearers include David T. Bailey, MacKennon Bailey, George Bailey, Adam Crosslin, Victor Martinez, Clark Francis and Gerald Thompson. Honorary pallbearers include Sam Gibbons, Don Williams, Albert Ramsey, Robert Lowe, Winston Bowling, Carrel Warren, Jim Harrison, Jim Hawkins, members of the Volunteer State Archeological Society and the Bailey Football League alumni. Dr. Fred Johnson, Rev. R.C. Bryan and Rev. Shane Bowling will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Surpassing Grace, P.O. Box 38006, Dallas, TX 75238 (Christian ministry to Burma), or the charity of your choice.