Obituary of Richard Burke Bailey, Sr.

Dick Bailey, passed away early Tuesday morning at his home in Camas, Washington. He was 90 years old. Dick was a gentleman, a patriotic man, an avid sailor and skiier, and was loved by many neighbors, friends, and family. Dick was born on November, 4, 2016, to Ward Bernard Bailey and Sara Greenig Bailey of Portland, Oregon. Except for a period of military service, he lived his entire life in the greater Portland area. He graduated from Washington High School in May, 1933, later attending Oregon State College now University from where he graduated in 1940 with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering. He also attended graduate school at Oregon State College, where he received an MS degree in Chemistry in 1941. Later in his career, he obtained an MBA from Portland State University, receiving this degree in 1980. Dick joined the National Guard prior to enrolling at Oregon State College, and was in ROTC during his college years. Upon graduation from college in 1940, he received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. From November 1941 through November 1945, he was on active duty with the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. His tour of duty was primarily in the U.S., but he did spend 6 months in the Solomon Islands. Dick mustered out of active duty as a Captain, but stayed with the US Army Reserves until 1976 when he retired as a Lt. Colonel. Dick was rightfully proud of his military service, preserving many relationships spawning from his military career throughout his life. He was a member of Columbia River Chapter of the Military Officers Association throughout his life. While serving his military duty, Dick met the former Virginia Alice Leslie, also of Portland, and the pair married in Davenport, Iowa, on October 9, 1943 while stationed at Rock Island Arsenal. Dick and Virginia remained married for 57 years until Virginia passed away in November of 2001. Following military service, Dick joined Crown Zellerbach, starting as a Research Engineer in 1947, and ended as General Manager of the Chemical Products Division. He retired from Crown Zellerback in 1983. Never being a person to allow grass to grow under his feet, Dick started two separate careers following his ?retirement?. Immediately upon retirement, he became a business consultant, and continued this for approximately 5 years. At this time, one of his avocations also became a vocation ? long an enthusiastic sailor, Dick invented and patented a simplified mainsail lazy jack system for casual sailors, and accordingly started a business called E-Z-JAX Systems, Inc. in 1993. He nurtured this business for several years before turning it over to his son Mark and wife Wendi in 2003. Dick seldom participated in life in a partial manner; from his hobbies to his career, he typically threw all of his energies into his endeavors. From his boyhood, Dick had been active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Later in life while his three sons were growing, each also participated in Boy Scouts, and Dick became an assistant scoutmaster. Later on in life after a lifelong friend introduced him to sailing on the Columbia River, he built a 36 foot sailboat in which he and Virginia sailed with friends and family along the Columbia River, and in the San Juan Islands. He also became very interested in genealogy, compiling a major portion of the Bailey / Leslie family tree over a period of years following his retirement. Dick was also an avid skier, and took great pleasure skiing until his early 80?s, partially because he enjoyed the thrill, but also because he could then ski free due to his age. Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Bailey Jr., Scott Bailey, and Mark Bailey, and their families including nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are being held at 2 pm on Friday, September 14th, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas, Washington 324 NE Oak Street. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial reception that will be held at the Bailey house. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to John Paul II JP2 in Camas, Washington, a volunteer care-giver and hospice organization associated with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.