Obituary of Richard Perry Bailey

Richard Perry Bailey Richard Perry Bailey, age 85, of Buckhannon, WV died Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Colonial Place in Elkins, WV. He was born June 21, 1931 in Buckhannon, a son of the late Harold and Nelle Jones Bailey. During high school, he was the center for the B-U basketball team and it was the first time in many years they had made it to the State Playoffs. He was also the 1949 Senior Class President. Mr. Bailey attended WVWC and graduated with a double major in Economics and Business Administration in 1953. While in college he entered in the National Guard where he “Caught a tank on fire!” All was well. Then on May 28, 1954 he married Helen Marie Chidester and they lived in PA before moving to Parkersburg, WV. Mr. Bailey worked for Borg-Warner Chemicals, now GE, for which he traveled to many cities and countries such as: England, France, Germany and Holland. From the National Guard he entered in to the U.S. Air Force where he retired as a Captain in 1971. Together, Richard and Helen had two daughters, Jane Mansfield and husband Jerry of Columbus, OH and Gretchen Bailey Long and husband David of Deltona, FL; one son, Patrick Bailey, who preceded him in death in 1989; two grandsons, Eric and Evan Mansfield both of Columbus and two granddaughters, Kelly and Andrea Long both of Deltona. After his retirement from GE in 1993, he and Helen traveled all over. Mrs. Bailey preceded him in death in December of 2000. After the loss of his wife he started working as the Executive Director at Mount Wood Park in Parkersburg from 2004-2006. He truly loved that job. On July 30, 2005, he married an old high school friend, Lorene George Kerans. They had great times together until the onset of Alzheimer’s. His second marriage leaves, one step son, James Kerans and wife Brenda of Williamsport, PA; one step granddaughter Kelly Lyngaard and husband Ben of Hopewell, NY and one grandson, James Kerans IV and wife Coranne of San Diego, CA. From 2007-2008, Mr. Bailey was the Director for the Emeritus Club at WVWC. He was a Christian by faith and very active in his church. He was also an avid Bridge player. Mr. Bailey was an honorable and kind man. He will remain loved by many. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any Alzheimer’s or Hospice Foundation in your area. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.