Arthur Leonard Bailey, Jr.

The Lord answered my prayers on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, and took me home after a hard fought battle with cancer.

I was born on June 27, 1940, in Polson, the son of Arthur L. and Blanche (Noble) Bailey, Sr., and was raised on a farm.

In 1957, I entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Okinawa and the Far East. As a young Marine, I returned home to marry my high school sweetheart, Sheila DuPuis. We left Montana for Southern California where we started our family. Soon after the birth of our second child, we moved and found our home in the Skagit Valley. Here I began a 35-year career as union ironworkers, which took me from Alaska to Hawaii to New Hampshire and northwest Washington.

I was a member of the Ironworkers Union Locals 505 and 86 and a member of the United States Marine Corps League.

I enjoyed racing motorcycles with my son Ken; rodeoing with my daughter Debby; bowling with my wife Sheila; hunting and fishing with my grandson and son-n-law; riding thrill rides with my granddaughters; racing sprint cars with my buddies and volunteering for Toys for Tots with my fellow Marines.

Sheila and I swam with dolphins, went parasailing, snorkeled in the ocean, went to flea markets and became familiar with the culture of each area on our numerous trips to Florida, Hawaii and Arizona as we searched for our ideal retirement lifestyle.

Upon retiring, when not snowbirding in Arizona, I enjoyed watching my grandchildren compete in athletics.

I am survived by my loving wife of 46 years, Sheila, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley; my son, Ken Bailey and his wife Laurie of Spokane; my daughter, Debby Minne and her husband Rick of Sedro-Woolley; my mother, Blanche Bailey of Polson; my beloved grandchildren, Aubrey and Holly Bailey of Spokane and Seth Askvig and Bailey Jo Minne of Sedro-Woolley; three sisters, Lois Knutson and husband Jim, Joannie Finch and husband Bert of Polson; and Sally Cook of Ronan; also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

I was preceded in death by my father, Art Bailey, Sr., and a sister, Doris Jennison.

I request that memorials be made to the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 2292, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Memorial services for Arthur L. Bailey, Jr. will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Polson Community Church, 1814 First St. E. with Pastor Richard Widerholdt sharing memories of Art.

Art was a very kind and gentle man, strong in character and principle, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.