Co-Founder Nani Koromete and her Mentor Jim Bailey
CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE
The family of Jim Bailey hosted a Celebration of Life service, November 28, 2015, 11:00 am at
Centennial Farm, OC Fair & Event Center.
FFA/4-H friends, and SHHS alumni: from Becky Bailey-Findley:
Jim Bailey Obituary
Jim Bailey, long-time resident of Fullerton California passed away September 27th, 2015 in the manner in which he lived - humbly, at peace with his life, in love with his wife and ready to go to God. He was surrounded by the love of his wife of 64 years, large family and many friends.
Jim grew up in rural Kearney, Missouri on the family farm where many members of his family still live. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bailey, in Missouri while serving in the military as a Navy medic, serving in the Korean War. After his service, he and Helen returned to Southern California, beginning a family and life together that spanned over 64 years. They settled in Fullerton, California and bought a home in 1959 that remains their home today. They became active Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) members, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers for youth and adults. They also lead many church and community projects to help those in need, including the homeless in Fullerton. In recent years he lead the barbecue team that provided tri-tip sandwiches at the weekly Farmers Market in Fullerton. The proceeds of this project benefitted primarily the Heifer International project – a program that was a passion of both he and Helen.
In 1959 Jim began a 30+-year career as a high school vocational agriculture teacher in the Fullerton Union High School District. He began at Fullerton Union High School and then served on the team of teachers that opened Sunny Hills High School where he remained for over 30 years. He taught many students about science, work skills, his passion for agriculture and life lessons in ethics, hard work and dedication. Also in 1959, Jim missed a meeting of Orange County’s high school agriculture teachers that changed the course of his life. Because he was absent, it was determined that he would serve as the Livestock Department Supervisor for the OC Fair. He continued in that capacity for over 50 years, molding the junior livestock program at the fair into a worthy educational experience for the young participants and fair patrons.
Working second jobs while teaching was a norm for Jim Bailey. His second jobs, including his work at the OC Fair, reflect the history of Orange County. In the early years he milked cows at the dairies in Artesia. He worked seasonally at Disneyland on the tall ship Columbia. With fellow agriculture teachers he farmed Christmas trees, Santa’s Forest and later Bailey Findley Trees.
In 1989, Jim was the leader in founding the Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds. The 3.5-acre working farm today welcomes over 100,000 visitors throughout the school year, and is a favorite exhibit during the annual OC Fair. The Farm gives children, and adults, an opportunity to interact with farm animals, as well as fruit and vegetable gardens featuring more than 100 kinds of crops – all in order to educate young people about his passion - agriculture and its importance to our daily lives. Centennial Farm, through Jim’s leadership, has become an iconic point of meaningful connection for many in the community.
Jim and Helen loved their retreat and vacation home in San Clemente. Jim wishes to be cremated with his ashes spread at sea. The family plans a Celebration of Life service, November 28, 2015, 11:00 am at Centennial Farm, OC Fair & Event Center. He is survived by his wife, Helen Bailey, four children, Becky Bailey-Findley, Cathy Wolkenhauer, Sue Silgailis, and Bill Bailey, nine grandchildren, Sarah Bartczak, Anne Wolkenhauer, Cary Bailey-Findley, Kaitlyn Bailey-Findley, Tessa Bailey-Findley, Carol Silgailis, Matthew Silgailis, Jasmine Bailey, and James Bailey, three great-grandchildren, Amelia Bartczak, Axel Fuhr Bailey and Leo Fuhr Bailey, one son-in-law, Gary Findley, siblings, Marshall Bailey, Martha Armstrong and Roxie Ritter and many more loving family and friends who are considered to be his greater family. The family of Jim Bailey asks that in lieu of flowers that donations go to two causes that are reflective of his passions, the Centennial Farm Foundation, OC Fair & Event Center or Orangethorpe Christian Church for their Hot Meal Ministry.
Jim Bailey Obituary
Jim Bailey, long-time resident of Fullerton California passed away September 27th, 2015 in the manner in which he lived - humbly, at peace with his life, in love with his wife and ready to go to God. He was surrounded by the love of his wife of 64 years, large family and many friends.
Jim grew up in rural Kearney, Missouri on the family farm where many members of his family still live. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bailey, in Missouri while serving in the military as a Navy medic, serving in the Korean War. After his service, he and Helen returned to Southern California, beginning a family and life together that spanned over 64 years. They settled in Fullerton, California and bought a home in 1959 that remains their home today. They became active Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) members, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers for youth and adults. They also lead many church and community projects to help those in need, including the homeless in Fullerton. In recent years he lead the barbecue team that provided tri-tip sandwiches at the weekly Farmers Market in Fullerton. The proceeds of this project benefitted primarily the Heifer International project – a program that was a passion of both he and Helen.
In 1959 Jim began a 30+-year career as a high school vocational agriculture teacher in the Fullerton Union High School District. He began at Fullerton Union High School and then served on the team of teachers that opened Sunny Hills High School where he remained for over 30 years. He taught many students about science, work skills, his passion for agriculture and life lessons in ethics, hard work and dedication. Also in 1959, Jim missed a meeting of Orange County’s high school agriculture teachers that changed the course of his life. Because he was absent, it was determined that he would serve as the Livestock Department Supervisor for the OC Fair. He continued in that capacity for over 50 years, molding the junior livestock program at the fair into a worthy educational experience for the young participants and fair patrons.
Working second jobs while teaching was a norm for Jim Bailey. His second jobs, including his work at the OC Fair, reflect the history of Orange County. In the early years he milked cows at the dairies in Artesia. He worked seasonally at Disneyland on the tall ship Columbia. With fellow agriculture teachers he farmed Christmas trees, Santa’s Forest and later Bailey Findley Trees.
In 1989, Jim was the leader in founding the Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds. The 3.5-acre working farm today welcomes over 100,000 visitors throughout the school year, and is a favorite exhibit during the annual OC Fair. The Farm gives children, and adults, an opportunity to interact with farm animals, as well as fruit and vegetable gardens featuring more than 100 kinds of crops – all in order to educate young people about his passion - agriculture and its importance to our daily lives. Centennial Farm, through Jim’s leadership, has become an iconic point of meaningful connection for many in the community.
Jim and Helen loved their retreat and vacation home in San Clemente. Jim wishes to be cremated with his ashes spread at sea. The family plans a Celebration of Life service, November 28, 2015, 11:00 am at Centennial Farm, OC Fair & Event Center. He is survived by his wife, Helen Bailey, four children, Becky Bailey-Findley, Cathy Wolkenhauer, Sue Silgailis, and Bill Bailey, nine grandchildren, Sarah Bartczak, Anne Wolkenhauer, Cary Bailey-Findley, Kaitlyn Bailey-Findley, Tessa Bailey-Findley, Carol Silgailis, Matthew Silgailis, Jasmine Bailey, and James Bailey, three great-grandchildren, Amelia Bartczak, Axel Fuhr Bailey and Leo Fuhr Bailey, one son-in-law, Gary Findley, siblings, Marshall Bailey, Martha Armstrong and Roxie Ritter and many more loving family and friends who are considered to be his greater family. The family of Jim Bailey asks that in lieu of flowers that donations go to two causes that are reflective of his passions, the Centennial Farm Foundation, OC Fair & Event Center or Orangethorpe Christian Church for their Hot Meal Ministry.
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