Rocky Clayton Bailey, age 68, passed away in the early morning of October 30th, 2017, at his home in Irvine, which he shared with his loving wife Jeanette and their dog Bandit. He had been diagnosed with cerebral vascular disease due to some undetectable strokes around three years ago, but had managed it well. In early October Rocky came down with bronchitis and muscle weakness that led to his sudden passing after only a few weeks.
The second child of Clayton C. Bailey and and Betty Leona Reed, Rocky grew up in Costa Mesa, California alongside his older sister, Carol. He attended Lindberg Elementary school, Kaiser Junior High, and later Corona del Mar High School. In his younger days he loved to ride horses, play baseball and basketball, and play trumpet in the school band. As he grew older, his interests gravitated towards surfing and the Beatles, two passions that would stay with him his entire life.
After spending a year surfing and waiting tables in Hawaii, Rocky went on to study at Orange Coast College, and later earned his bachelor's degree at San Diego State University, where he majored in business. After college, he worked sales positions at Cleanlines and Jiffy Packaging, where his good nature and charisma helped him excel. Later, in 1993, he would fulfill his dream of running his own business by purchasing a lamination company. He acquired many great clients, from large chain restaurants to movie companies to medical providers and manufacturers. and managed the company until his retirement in 2015.
Back in 1970, Rocky began dating a girl he would later marry, Diane Lynn Orr. They wed in 1975, and quickly became a happy family of three with their golden retriever, Sundance, in a little apartment in Corona del Mar. Seven years later a fourth family member would arrive, their first and only child, Buffy Elizabeth Diane Bailey.
Rocky and Diane parted ways in 1991, but Rocky remained a devoted, positive, and loving force in his daughter's life. They shared their home in Irvine with their cat Sally, and enjoyed watching movies, riding bikes, swimming, and exploring the neighborhood together, especially during the holiday season.
In 1995, Rocky began dating Jeanette Engel. The two would wed in 2003, and remained in Irvine, purchasing a brand new home together. They enjoyed movies, friends, and traveling to many places together, including Cape Cod, the Oregon Coast, the Canadian Rockies, the Caribbean, and of course, Hawaii. They also enjoyed the company of their dogs, Jasmine who earlier passed away and now Bandit, and frequent visits and holidays with family.
Rocky is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughter Buffy, step-son William Engel, his wife Sheri Engel and their children Ashlyn and Will, sister Carol Wilson, nephew Jay Wilson, and niece Christie Wilson. He is forever in our hearts.
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