CAPT George T. Bailey, USN, (Ret)

CAPT George Thomas Bailey, USN (Ret.), passed away on June 27th. George was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on May 29th, 1929 to Stanley and Daisy Bailey. Devoted husband to Annette Lejeune Bailey, George offered a lifetime of service to his family, his friends, his community and his country.

George graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1951 where he earned a BBA degree in Business Administration and was an active member in the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on board the USS H. J. THOMAS (DDR833). In 1952, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his commission. He then reported to the USS BRUSH (DD745) based in Long Beach, California, and saw extensive duty in Korean waters with Task Force 77. Two years later, he entered Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, graduating in June 1955. Subsequently he served on the USS RAY (SSR271) and USS SEALION (APSS315) in Norfolk, Virginia.

After a chance meeting on the beach in St. Simon’s Island, Annette and George stayed in touch while she travelled the United States. They wed in Annette’s hometown of Bath, Somerset, England in 1957. Married for 55 years, they had four sons, four grand-daughters, two grand-sons and one great-grand-son.

From 1963 to 1964, George was the Executive Officer of the USS BANG (SS385) in New London, Connecticut. From July 1966 to August 1968, George commanded the attack submarine USS POMFRET (SS391), based in San Diego, California and made a seven-month WESTPAC deployment, during which time he conducted patrols in Vietnamese as well as Northern Pacific waters.

His shore duty assignments include a tour in Oslo, Norway at the Military Assistance Advisory Group from 1959 to 1962 where he served as Submarine Liaison Officer to the Royal Norwegian Submarine Force, a tour in the Logistics Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from 1964 to 1966, and as NATO War Plans Officer on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe in London, England from 1968 to 1971.

George attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating from the Naval Warfare Course in June 1972. From 1972 to 1975 Captain Bailey served in the Strategic Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC.

From 1975 to 1977, George served as part of the U.S. Mission at NATO in Brussels, Belgium. Captain Bailey then served as Commander, U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom, in London, England from 1977 to 1981. His final assignment was as the Inspector General for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida. Captain Bailey retired from the U.S. Navy in 1983.

After his naval career, George became active in real estate and served as Executive Director of the Pensacola Realtors Association from 1991 to 2000, was active in the Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze, and also served numerous years on the Pensacola State College Board of Governors. While retired, George enjoyed traveling, playing tennis, golfing and spending time with his family and friends.

George is survived by his three sons, Mark (Karen) and granddaughters, Samantha, Meghan, and Mackenzie, and great grandson, Liam of Atlanta, Georgia; son, Richard of Austin, Texas; son, David (Jeni) and grandsons, Boden and Curran, and granddaughter Colette. George was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Bailey; son, Patrick Bailey; brother, Stanley Bailey, Jr.; and sister, Ellen Menetre.

A Visitation will be held from 6 PM to 8 PM on Monday, July 9th at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, at 619 N. New Warrington Road in Pensacola. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 10th at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with a private burial following at the Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society.