Obituary of Virgil Bailey

Virgil Bailey (78) resident of St. Maries passed away in Kellogg, ID on January 4, 2017. He was born to Ernest and Lila Bailey in Bellingham, WA on July 6, 1938. Virgil grew up in Ferndale, WA and graduated from Ferndale High School with the class of 1956. Following high school, Virgil went to work for a ranch. He married Myrna Sharp in Ferndale and the couple had 3 children. He taught his children how to hunt and fish. He then went to work for Intalco. The family temporarily relocated to Japan while he started up an aluminum plant for Intalco. After 6 months they returned to Ferndale, WA. The marriage ended in divorce. He left Intalco after many years. In 1983 Virgil lived in Point Roberts, WA where he ran a fuel dock and lived on his sailboat. He met and married Jan Galley. In 1985 Virgil left Point Roberts and conducted several jobs until he moved to St. Maries, ID in 1994. He went to work at Elk Mountain Farms located in Bonners Ferry, ID who was contracted with Budweiser. He would stay the weeks in a camper and retired after 3 years. Jan passed away in November 2007. He later met Leslie Bren up the river at The Big Eddy. They married on August 16, 2008 in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. The couple enjoyed 4 wheeling, mushroom picking, taking care of their animals, and their property. Other interests that Virgil enjoyed were sailing, hunting, fishing, and working on cars specifically antique cars with Darrel Pitts. Virgil is survived by his wife Leslie at the family home, his children Dale (Gobi) Bailey, Darren (Kimberly) Bailey, and Debbie (Scott) Cauthorn, all of Ferndale, WA; his step children Curtis (Kathy) Kunkel of Portland, OR, Joele (Lance) Taylor of San Diego, CA, Mica Kunkel of Post Falls, ID, Farron (Sue) Kunkel of Pocatello, ID, and Travis Kunkel of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his late wife Jan Bailey, sister June Olson, and brothers Bruce Bailey, Bethel Bailey, and Loyd Bailey. A memorial service will be held on January 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 213 S. 23rd Street in St. Maries. A Potluck Gathering of Family and Friends will follow at the Federal Building in the downstairs conference room.