James David Bailey

James David Bailey passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday, April 23, 2023. He is survived by sons, Jeff (wife Rachel) and Jason Bailey. His two granddaughters, Kathryn and McKenna, knew him lovingly as Grand Pa.

Known by many as David, he was born on October 28, 1942, to James Loran and Virginia (Wallace) Bailey. The first of five siblings, he was the big brother to sisters Emma Lew, Nancy, Oneta and brother Kenneth.

David grew up in Arlington, Texas attending First Baptist Church there. He threw papers, sometimes as a family affair, and had fun riding his Cushman scooter.

He attended Arlington High School where he set records in track running low and high hurdles, winning State in 1961. He maintained the friendships he made there for the rest of his life and was an extremely active Alumni member, pulling Alumni floats in Arlington’s Fourth of July parades and diligently cutting out and painting plywood Colts for some of those floats.

After graduating high school, David ran track briefly for Texas Tech University and Arlington State College. He worked on various job sites with his father learning the craft of carpentry and drafting. He went to work for LTV as a Mechanical Packaging Engineer, drafting and building test equipment, packaging and whatever was needed.

He married Donna Pope and had twin boys, Jeff and Jason. He was the best father anyone could ask for. He loved going camping, maintaining the pool he built, teaching his sons how to fish (if not imparting the patience), riding bicycles, and taking part in their lives at every opportunity he could. Whether it was helping them build race cars for their Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby, or taking them to Red River, New Mexico for family vacations, he was always there for them.

In retirement, David kept in touch with friends from work, going out to lunch often. He kept up with friends from school and his large, extended family, particularly his Aunt Florine Wallace Morton whom he loved to visit in Houston. He supported his sons always and was at every soccer game, dance recital, and birthday he could attend for his granddaughters. He made sure to go trick or treating every year and did not miss a Christmas Eve.

David loved fishing and taking friends and family out on his boat. He loved to get away from things and relax on the lake. When his son Jeff decided to buy a motorcycle, David decided that sounded like a good idea and bought the first of many motorcycles he would own for the rest of his life, riding all over the United States and collecting Harley Davidson dealership pins as he went. He called his time on the road his Wind Therapy, and that always put a smile on his face.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Bailey family.