James Walter Bailey of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the age of 76. He was born December 27, 1946, in Newport, the son of Walter Wallace and Mamie (Sornson) Bailey.
Mr. Bailey was a 1964 graduate of Tuckerman High School, and a United States Army veteran, serving in Vietnam. He retired from American Lantern following 28 years of service. Mr. Bailey loved yard work, fishing, and watching Westerns. He especially enjoyed spending time with the McDonald’s Coffee Group.
He was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ.
Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Kay (Warren) Bailey; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Pharis) Bailey of Newport; two daughters, Kelly Bailey Pfitzner and husband, Russell of Batesville, and Becky Bailey Jones and husband, Preston, of Tuckerman; one stepson, Scott Balch and wife, Jennifer, of Balch; one stepdaughter, Angela Newson of Jackson, Tennessee; two sisters, Patsy Pankey of Newport, and Helen Brock of Hamlet, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Ryan Pfitzner and wife, Priscilla, Lucas Pfitzner, Gredin Jones and girlfriend, Allyson Jade Grissom, Levi Jones and girlfriend, Amber Cockrell, Mallory Thomason and husband, Trent, Amelia Counts and husband, Gordon, Colin Newsome, Taylor Balch, and Jace Balch; three great-grandchildren, Abbie Gibson, Briar Gibson, and Maddux Thomason; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit the funeral home, Thursday, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Graveside services are 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2023, at Gracelawn Cemetery, with Mr. Ryan Wilson officiating.
His grandsons are honored to serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.
