Raymond Earl Bailey

Born in San Francisco, California Raymond Earl Bailey was born on February 19, 1950 in San Francisco, CA to William Earl Bailey and Beverly Titus. He moved to Whatcom County when he was ten years old and attended Mt Baker Junior High and Bellingham High School. After high school, and a stint in the saw mills, he began employment for the City of Bellingham Public Works Department. After 32 years of service with the City, he retired as the Maintenance Supervisor of the Plants Division of Bellingham Public Works. Ray was a lifelong overachiever and was interested in many activities. In his early years he was a confirmed Hot Rodder and very active in all sports. Ray ran marathons, raced bicycles in the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, and competed in many running competitions, Ski to Sea races and pick-up basketball a few times a week. After retirement Ray proudly referred to himself as the Neighborhood Handy Man who designed and built many other houses, innumerable construction projects for neighbors and friends and was a skilled metal fabricator. He was always trying new challenges and this year took on the garden canning and was nuts about his new Home Brewing hobby. Ray was drawn to all things water which led to his building their home on the beach and his devotion to kayaking the last several years where he was mastering his goal of completing all 35 of the Greenland Rolls. Ray was an avid member of the WAKE and the Hole In The Wall kayak clubs where he was an instructor and an organizer for several of their events. Ray was an attentative, nurturing, and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife Debbie of 27 years, brother Joe (Gail) Bailey, sisters Kathy of Victoria, Texas and Fern Wood of Moreno Valley, California, four sons, Joe Bailey from San Diego, Mark (Caroline) Bailey of Seattle, Ryan Bailey of Phoenix, and Adam Bailey of Coeur dAlene; three step-sons, Pete Basabe of Sasebo, Japan, Rich (Dawn) Henderson of Bellingham, and Joe Henderson of Blaine, 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Grampa was a title he wore proudly and was often longing for his Little Girl Fix. Ray was a friend and mentor for many and will be missed greatly. Farewell Tribute Information A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26th at Moles Farewell Tributes in Bellingham.

Raymond Earl Bailey

February 19, 1950 - October 5, 2013