Terry Francis Bailey

Terry passed away recently in Gilbert, Ariz., from natural causes. He was 67 years young.

Terry was born on July 15, 1948, to Betty “Babe” and Vernon Bailey Jr. His early childhood was in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Maple Street, where he attended Lincoln School. The family them moved to Colburn, Idaho, and Terry attended the junior and senior high schools in Sandpoint.

Terry enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a great help at home with haying and wood gathering.

Before graduating, Terry joined the U.S. Army in October 1965. He first went to Germany and then to Vietnam as a radio relay carrier. After his first tour, he re-enlisted and returned to Vietnam for a second time. He was very proud to have been there and serve his country.

Terry worked at several jobs around the area until he met the “love of his life,” Wilma Dirks, whom he married on Feb. 14, 1984. At various times they resided in Sandpoint, Stockton, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Boise, Idaho, during which Terry worked as a heavy equipment operator and electronics technician.

The couple finally retired in Gilbert, Ariz., in 2003. Until Wilma’s death in 2013, she and Terry were inseparable best friends, especially in her last few years when Terry lovingly cared for her during her illnesses.

While Terry enjoyed reading and watching classic movies, his greatest joy was being a grandpa to Kiley, Bradley, and Halle. An enduring memory is Halle sitting on Terry’s lap while he read her a book, then him taking delight while she read it back to him. Terry’s recent enjoyment was ATV riding with his family, Karen, Curt, and Ray, in the Wickenburg, Ariz., mountains and desert.

Terry was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; his mother, Betty; and his oldest brother, Wesley Stradley. Terry is survived by his father, Vernon Jr. of Colburn; six siblings (brothers Kent Stradley, Curt Stradley, Vernon Bailey III, Ray Bailey, Gary Bailey, and sister Karen Walker); and four stepchildren, Rene DuBois, John Dirks, Brad Dirks, Traci Menard, and their families. Last but not least, he is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Kiley Fournier, Bradley Dendy, and Halle Dirks.

Terry was cremated and his ashes will be spread in the woods of North Idaho. We will miss him and his quirky stories, and may God bless him and keep him.