James Paul Bailey, DVM
June 9, 1935 ~ October 22, 2013
Resided in:
Pueblo West, CO
James Paul Bailey, DVM, 78, passed away Oct. 22, 2013. Survived by his beloved wife, Beverly; much loved children, Jeffrey (Lori) Bailey, Jennifer (Darren) Williams, and Mary Jo (Ray) Jensen; dearly loved grandchildren, Georgia, Jack, and Emma; brothers, Maurice (Evalyn) and Kenneth (Carol) Bailey; brother-in-law, Robert (Lorraine) Fisher; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by parents, John and Opal Bailey; sister, Marjorie (Charles) Keeling; brothers, Richard (Barbara) Bailey, Freeman Bailey; and nephew, Bruce Bailey.
James was born on June 9, 1935, in Holly, CO. One year later the John Bailey family moved from Towner to LaVeta to escape the dust bowl. Upon graduating from LaVeta High School in 1953, James attended Colorado A&M in Fort Collins where he met his future wife, Beverly, later marrying her in 1963. James completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1959 and spent the next several years practising vet medicine and ranching in La Veta, Huerfano County, Glenwood Springs, and Salida. He found a niche in moving to Gunnison in 1968, living there for 17 years with a thriving private veterinary practice and ranching business. In the late 1970s, sharing a newfound passion for health and fitness, James opened Super Courts, Gunnison's first racquetball and health club.
In 1985, James bought Eden Veterinary Clinic and moved to Pueblo. Later in his 'retirement years' he operated a mobile vet practice from his home in Pueblo West. His never dull house call business provided a valuable service for the people and pets in the Pueblo area. 'Doc' Bailey had a passion to help. He was an amazing diagnostician and appreciated the challenging cases. In Gunnison, as a large animal veterinarian, the time or temperature never got in the way of a 'vet call.' Many were late night and early morning calls to sew up a wounded horse or deliver a calf. Passion and responsibility got him to the scene…the stories and camaraderie that ensued kept a smile in his heart. He had a reverence for his family history and the 'good life' he experienced in his youth. He did not understand our 'throw away' society. Given enough bailing wire, he could fix just about anything. He was tough! Leather gloves (rarely was there a matching pair) were a rare superfluous luxury because in his words, he would 'just wear them out.' James was a reserved, kind, and generous man with a keen wit and a great sense of humor. He had a tremendous appreciation for nature and all of its many offerings. He had a talent for music and prose and leaves behind a treasured volume of his articles, letters, stories, and poems.
Celebration of Life, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, 220 W. 10th Street, Pueblo, Colo. Interment, 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at La Veta Cemetery, La Veta, Colo. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Cardiology Transplant Unit at University Hospital Denver or Pet Project through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Hi Beverly. I saw the obituary in the newspaper and my heart went out to you. I have been thinking about you and including you in my prayers. I send you many good thoughts and wishes through this time. Shirley Aragon
We just heard the news last night and Jo Ann and I are devestated by the news. For just over eight years, Doc Bailey and Bev were part of our lives here in Pueblo West. We met Mary Jo many times. I thought so highly of Doc Bailey! jpo
Dear Beverly, Jeff, Jennifer, and Mary Jo, Ralph and I are so sorry for your lost of Jim. He was a great teacher, vet, gentleman, and friend. We have many fond memories of all of you. We think of you often and loved seeing Jim and Beverly when they came to Gunnison several years ago. We appreciated his wonderful poetry and hearing from you at Christmas. Jim will be missed by us and many others. His sense of humor and smile were infectious. We wish you love and peace at this time and are sending prayers your way. Love Debby and Ralph
Doctor Bailey & his wife came to our house in 2007 to put our precious schnauzer, Sammy, to sleep. Their compassion for our situation was a blessing and their kindness afterward was wonderful. They stayed & helped us grieve for our beloved companion and made it easier on Jim & I. Doctor Bailey wasn’t in great shape at the time, but it didn’t seem to bother him as he worked quietly to relieve Sammy’s pain. He and his wife will always be in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful world this would be if all people were like him.
May God bless and comfort his family in their great loss.
With our deepest sympathy,
Jim Brown & Charlene Sullivan
I am not sure where to begin in remembering Doctor Bailey
and his family for it has been many, many years since I was helping run dogs,
clean kennels, pull calves or attend 4-H meetings. Those are just a few of the
thousands of fond memories I have from basically being a permanent fixture in
the Bailey household while growing up as their neighbor. His passion for
animals and kids gave me the opportunity to develop a love for agriculture and
its way of life. I have had many mentors
in my life but he was my first and there has never been another one like him.
May all of your biscuits have plenty of fresh peaches on them– Jim! God bless
Many years ago Dr. Bailey took care of my families black lab “Pepper” when she was bitten by a rattlesnake. My family and I will always remember him for his kindness and care. Pepper lived to the ripe old age of 15. My children have grow up now. But when we saw his picture in the paper we all remembered him. Warm thoughts to you and your family from ours.
A legacy of compassion, humor, commitment to community, and authenticity. He was funny and patient, calm and caring, the very best vet and teacher when I was first learning how to care for my pets. He didn’t mince words, but he was kind. Gunnison was a better place for his having been here, and we’ve missed him for a long time. Thoughts to his family and friends; he was a special person.
Beverly and family, we were very sad to hear that Jim has passed away. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers through the coming days, and hope you will be comforted by good memories and surrounded with God’s peace.
I will never forget my Uncle Jamie. His great love for animals and his busy,busy life.He lived every day to it’s fullest. I miss him so much already. Just knowing he was there gave me comfort and strength.
It
hurts a lot. I love you Uncle Jamie.God keep you safe in his loving care. Nancy
Dr. Bailey was such a great veterinarian, he took such. good care of our 4 dogs.His compassion was without a doubt his admirable trait, Blessings for the family.
Dr. Bailey was a special man with so much compasion..he was my vet for several years before he retired as well what a great man he was. my Daisy Mae had him so baffled because she kept getting sick, he finally found the cause of what was doing her problems and she was getting poison from a neighbor or unknown source . by then it was too late of course but he did an autopsy at no charge because she had him so baffled and found out it was poison. I will always remember his compassion for animals..god bless him and his family.
Gary St. Clair
What a special man Dr. Bailey was! He was our vet for several years before he “retired”. He stayed up all night one night with our two dogs who we suspected licked up antifreeze in the garage. His kind heart and concern for our pets was a blessing to us! We pray comfort for his family and loved ones, knowing it will be a huge loss.