MILFORD - James C. Bailey, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family who loved him dearly, on Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2017, at Milford Center.
Jim was born in Milford on Feb. 21, 1952, son of the late James C. Bailey, Sr., and Katie (Schrock) Bailey.
He was a graduate of Milford High School and furthered his education at the University of Delaware graduating in 1974 with a degree in Biology.
Jim owned and operated Bailey's Lawnmower Service in Milford, along with his brother, Jay, for 40 years before closing the business and retiring in 2011.
He was happily involved with his children's sports interests through the years. Jim coached Little League teams, Pop Warner football, also serving a term as their president, and devoted several years as a coach, along with his sidekick, Harvey Marvel, for the Milford Parks and Recreation basketball program. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing, clamming, and maintaining a sizable garden of fresh vegetables in the summer months.
Jim was a member of the Carlisle Fire Company from 1977 to 2004. He served on numerous committees and held the titles of Vice President, Fire Captain, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief. He was recognized in 1989 for both Carlisle Fireman of the Year and Delaware State Fireman of the Year. During his time with the company, Jim was also an instructor at the Delaware State Fire School.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margaret R. Bailey; a daughter, Christine B. Reece (Nick); a son, Matthew Bailey (Casey); four grandchildren, Spencer Matthew Reece, Anna Marie Reece, Alexander Gregory Reece, and Cora Presley Bailey, all of Milford; a brother, Jay E. Bailey (Sharon), of Milford; three sisters, Jean D. Baker (George), Joyce A. Nauman (Mark), all of Milford; and Dr. Judy L. Bailey (E. Marco Pinera), of Dover; a sister-in-law, Diana R. Lawson (Bob), of Harbeson; two brothers-in-law, John R. Rogers, III, of Milton, and Perry W. Rogers (Diane), of Milford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will welcome friends from 2 to 4 p.m., on Sunday, Apr. 2, 2017, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave, Milford.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Apr. 3, 2017, at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, 6362 Bay Rd, Frederica.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 240 N. James St., Suite 100A, Newport, DE 19804 (online at www.alz.org) or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Condolences may be left for the family online at www.rogersfhmilford.com