James Leroy

Bailey

James Leroy Bailey, 80, of Blanchard, died Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in Oklahoma City.  The son of Ira Pershing Bailey and Virginia Clara (Caskey) Bailey, he was born May 30, 1941 in Oklahoma City.

James served in the US Army and began his career on July 2, 1958 as a Private E-2 during the cold war.  His basic training was at Fort Carson, Colorado and then he was sent to Fort Lewis in Washington in May of 1959.  James received orders to go to Amberg, Germany in October 1959 where he was stationed at the Pond Barracks.  During that time, he met the love of his life, Irene Pfeiffer, in Schirnding, Germany and they were married on March 4, 1960, in Amberg, Germany.  James was restationed in September 1962 to Fort Benning, Georgia during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  James ended his military career in 1963 as a Private Specialist E4 and received the following awards:  MkM Rifle M-1, MkM Carbine, WVD Badge (x2) GCMDL, Good Conduct Medal, and a medal for Honorable and Faithful Service.  James and Irene moved to Oklahoma in 1963 and have lived in Blanchard since 1971.  James and Irene made a treasured trip to Germany in June 2009 to visit with family and reminiscence the places that changed their lives forever and to visit some places they never got to see during that time.  James was owner and operator of Interstate Truck Repair for many years until his retirement.  In his spare time, he enjoyed farming and raising cattle.  He loved being outdoors and hunting deer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one great grandson, Jamason Dobbs; and one brother, Michael Bailey.

James is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irene Bailey, of Blanchard; two daughters, Kai Jones of Blanchard and Sharon King and her husband, James, of Washington; one son, John Bailey and Lora Collins, of Blanchard; four grandchildren, Bryan Jones and his wife, Kari, of Blanchard, Lacey Dobbs of Blanchard, Nicole Murray of Blanchard, and Sarah Poe and her husband, Mike, of Blanchard; seven great grandchildren, Oliva, Ethan, Tyler, Vivian, Coltan, Naelyn, and Cecilia; one great-great granddaughter, Nova; one brother, Phillip Bailey and his wife, Sheri, of Edmond; and many other loved ones and friends.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, August 9, 2021, at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin.  Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard.  Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.