JAMES I. JIM BAILEY James I. Bailey, known to everyone as "Jim" passed away in his home in Oceanside California on June 10, 2015. Although he was in Oceanside to be near his daughter and family, his heart and his thoughts always remained in his beloved Hawai'i. Jim was born in Sullivan, IN on August 5, 1924. He grew up in Jackson, MI with his parents and 3 siblings. After graduating from Jackson High he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II in Germany as an infantryman attached to a tank battalion. He was wounded by ordinance from a German tank during the taking of the Remagen Bridge, part of the Allied Invasion of Germany. He returned to the U.S. for his recovery, and after being discharged from the Army, he traveled to Honolulu in 1953 to visit with a life-long friend from his home town. Shortly after arriving he met the love his life, Gwendolyn "Gypsy" Bruns Bailey of Ka'imuki. They were happily married until her death 46 years later. Jim's entire work career was in the restaurant business. He worked for the original Don the Beachcomber, Spencecliff, the Ilikai, and owned the Wiki Burger on Wai'alae Avenue. He finished his career as a successful salesman for the Hobart Corporation, selling restaurant equipment. He was devoted to his customers, and always said that he considered everyone he met a future friend. Jim is survived by his older sister Barbara Boyle of Michigan, son Kenneth G. Bailey of Honolulu, daughter Jaimee A. Pittman of Oceanside CA, granddaughter Erin K. Bailey of Seattle WA, grandson D.J. Pittman of Anaheim CA, and nieces and nephews. There will be services with military honors at Punchbowl on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Please join us afterwards for lunch and to celebrate his life. Donations to Veterans of Foreign Wars in his name are appreciated.
JAMES I. JIM BAILEY James I. Bailey, known to everyone as "Jim" passed away in his home in Oceanside California on June 10, 2015. Although he was in Oceanside to be near his daughter and family, his heart and his thoughts always remained in his beloved Hawai'i. Jim was born in Sullivan, IN on August 5, 1924. He grew up in Jackson, MI with his parents and 3 siblings. After graduating from Jackson High he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II in Germany as an infantryman attached to a tank battalion. He was wounded by ordinance from a German tank during the taking of the Remagen Bridge, part of the Allied Invasion of Germany. He returned to the U.S. for his recovery, and after being discharged from the Army, he traveled to Honolulu in 1953 to visit with a life-long friend from his home town. Shortly after arriving he met the love his life, Gwendolyn "Gypsy" Bruns Bailey of Ka'imuki. They were happily married until her death 46 years later. Jim's entire work career was in the restaurant business. He worked for the original Don the Beachcomber, Spencecliff, the Ilikai, and owned the Wiki Burger on Wai'alae Avenue. He finished his career as a successful salesman for the Hobart Corporation, selling restaurant equipment. He was devoted to his customers, and always said that he considered everyone he met a future friend. Jim is survived by his older sister Barbara Boyle of Michigan, son Kenneth G. Bailey of Honolulu, daughter Jaimee A. Pittman of Oceanside CA, granddaughter Erin K. Bailey of Seattle WA, grandson D.J. Pittman of Anaheim CA, and nieces and nephews. There will be services with military honors at Punchbowl on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Please join us afterwards for lunch and to celebrate his life. Donations to Veterans of Foreign Wars in his name are appreciated.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
