Ronald B. Bailey

Ronald B. Bailey, 80, passed away Saturday, December 6, in Grand Island, NE, surrounded by his wife and family. He had suffered from kidney disease for some time, yet maintained a life full of family, friends and activities until the very end.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, from 5 ? 7 p.m., at Resurrection Catholic Church in Grand Island, with a Scriptural and Rosary service at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. at Resurrection, celebrated by the Rev. Mike McDermott, Deacon Don Placke will assist, with the homily by the Rev. Jim Schmitt. A meal in honor of Ron?s life will immediately follow the mass. Inurnment for family will be held later in the day at the family plot at St. Libory Catholic Church cemetery in St. Libory, NE.

Ron was born at home on March 3, 1934, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, to Marjorie Mae (Donald) and Bernard B. Bailey. He attended Mt. Pleasant Saunders School until 1941 when the family moved to Newton, KS, where he attended Cooper School. In 1946 the family returned to Iowa, where Ron continued his education at Mt. Pleasant Junior High and High School, graduating in 1952. Ron became extremely active in theater and speech during high school, winning two state speech contest awards and was named Outstanding Boy Graduate.

Ron attended Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, on a theater scholarship and was on the debate team, graduating with honors in 1955. Following graduation, he moved to Denver, CO, and taught speech and theater at Wheat Ridge High School. While at Wheat Ridge, Ron met his future wife, history teacher Willa Jean McAndrews, of St. Libory, NE.

Ron and Jean were married at St. Libory Catholic Church, on August 13, 1956. Their life as newlyweds came to an abrupt end when in mid September 1956, Ron left for US Army Boot Camp in Fort Bliss, TX. In February 1957, he was sent to Heidelberg, Germany, and served as company clerk for the 84th Transportation Company, the original Red Ball Express. Jean joined him in Germany in April 1957, and their son Jon was born the following year. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5th Class in August 1958.

Ron returned to teach English at Williamsburg, IA, High School. Their daughter Kristen was born in early 1960, and later that year, the family moved to Hobbs, NM, where he taught speech and theater at Houston Junior High School. Their son James was born in 1963 in Hobbs. After receiving his masters degree in theater from the University of Northern Colorado, the family moved to Sterling, CO, in 1967, where Ron joined the faculty of Northeastern Junior College as professor of speech and theater, as well as serving as the college?s theater director.

In 1981, Ron was named NJC?s first Director of Planning and Development, doing long-range planning and fundraising. In 1986, he was appointed Dean of Instruction and Faculty, overseeing the hiring, mentoring and professional development for approximately 75 full-time faculty. Ron retired from NJC in June 1994 and then returned to serve as Interim President from January ? June 1995. During his time at NJC, Ron received an honorary doctoral degree from Regis University in Denver, CO.

Ron and Willa Jean retired to Grand Island in summer 1995. Never one to sit still for long, Ron went to work as the Executive Director for Central Catholic Development Foundation from 1995-1999. After retiring again, Ron served as a speech and debate team volunteer at Central Catholic, working with 25-30 students a year, and seeing many of his students go on to win district and state tournaments.

Since his real retirement in 2012, Ron has traveled, been a voracious reader, and served as a volunteer for the Grand Island Literacy Council, assisting many new residents in their goal to improve their English speaking and reading skills. He also taught adult bible classes, served on the liturgy committee and trained lectors for Resurrection Catholic Church. Ron was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a longtime volunteer docent and rose gardener at Stuhr Museum.

Preceding him in death were his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Willa Jean (McAndrews) Bailey of Grand Island; his three children and their spouses, Jon and Ginger (Simms) Bailey of Bancroft, NE; Kristen Bailey and Kevin O?Connor of San Francisco, CA; and James and Sharon (Lousberg) Bailey of Evanston, WY; seven grandchildren, including Michael and Anna Bailey, Griffin and Fiona O?Connor, and Charles, Connor and Reed Bailey; his brother and sister-in-law James and Margaret Bailey of Mt. Hammil, IA, sister and brother-in-law Rev. Ann (Bailey) and Rev. William Morehouse of Bethany, MO, and sister and brother-in-law Tanya (Bailey) and Don Cox of Oklahoma City, OK; as well as two nieces, four nephews and many cousins.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care Ron received from the hospice nurses from St. Francis Medical Center Hospice, the staff at Wedgewood Care Center, and all the friends and neighbors who have visited and brought him comfort over the last several months. In lieu of flowers donations to Grand Island Literacy Council, Central Catholic Development Foundation or the Hope Scholarship at Northeastern Junior College (Sterling, CO) in Ron?s name are deeply appreciated.

Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family, online condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Ron?s obituary.