Thomas Dale Bailey

Thomas Dale Bailey, 87 of Hopewell, VA., passed away, Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Born on March 6, 1929 in Itasca, Texas, he was the son of Thomas Shelby Bailey and Dovie May Reed. His father died when Tom was 9, and he was raised by loving grandparents James Lee and Essie Smith Bailey. After his grandparents died, he lived with his father’s brother, Boyd (Buck) Bailey. Although he travelled the world, and lived over 60 years in Virginia, he always considered himself a Texan, and so did those who truly knew him. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sons, Thomas Lee Bailey, John Wayne Bailey, Woodward Dale Bailey; daughter, Christy Evelyn Osterloh and her husband, Bob, also his grandchildren Kevin and Richard Almarode, and great-grandchildren Savannah Almarode, Michael Almarode, Kyle Strine, Makenna Almarode, and Béla Almarode. Many Bailey relatives remain in the Itasca, TX area and they were each precious to him. He was devoted to the Army and joined as a young man. He served in the Korean War, and served posts in Japan, Fort Knox, KY, Fort Benning, GA, and Bamberg, Germany. While stationed at Fort Lee he met the love of his life, his wife Evelyn Collins. They celebrated their 65th anniversary this year. Mr. Bailey retired from the army after 20 years at the rank of Master Sergeant E-8. He worked for a few years at the Hopewell Post Office before transferring to the Virginia Department of Transportation, in the Elko office. Tom loved the Outer Banks and took great solace in fishing and camping there. In later years, he and Evelyn were very involved in local Square and Round dancing clubs. Tom and Evelyn were long-time members of West End Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, and in recent years while home-bound, received spiritual inspiration through the television ministry of First Baptist Church in Richmond.The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for him, especially Dr. Jiho Han, and Kenneth McColley, PA-C. The family will receive friends, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2016 at J T Morriss Funeral Home in Hopewell. A memorial service will be held, 10: 00 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2016 at the funeral home with The Reverend Wayne Good, officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Green Hill Cemetery, Churchville, VA., with The Reverend Charles Austin Joy, officiating. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .