Kenneth Dean Bailey
July 5, 1937 - January 11, 2010
Obituary
Kenneth Dean Bailey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on January 11, 2010. He was born in Butte, Montana on July 5, 1937 and was raised in Helena, Montana. Ken always lived life to the fullest. He attended Helena High School and was team captain of the 1955 state champion basketball team. He became a Bobcat and graduated from Montana State College in Bozeman, where he met the love of his life, Elaine Bar. They were married and moved to Seattle, where Ken started his 37 year career at Boeing. They resided in Federal Way, Washington and raised their family there.
Ken loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed camping, hunting and prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountains above Helena. Ken also enjoyed wood-working and was a good mechanic. He was passionate about the game of golf and was a member of Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club in Federal Way, Washington and the Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Indio, California. Ken volunteered his time with youth athletics, coaching boys’ basketball, soccer, Little League, and girls’ softball.
Ken was a hard worker and a dynamic leader. He rose up through the ranks at Boeing and took on several major challenges in the Fabrication Division at Auburn, was a Director of Operations for the B2 Program, and led the successful construction and implementation of the 777 Composite Empennage facility at Frederickson.
After Ken retired, he and Elaine traveled to Europe and the South Pacific. They also explored the USA in their motor home, often caravanning with Harry and Donna Fuhs, Ken’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Ken and Elaine purchased a second home at Heritage Palms in Indio, California where they enjoyed golfing and many new friendships. He loved classical music, had a beautiful tenor singing voice, and enjoyed dancing with Elaine at social functions.
Ken is survived by his wife Elaine of 51 years; son Daniel Bailey Tracey of Kent, Washington; daughter, Christine Pickering Jeff of Tacoma, Washington; sisters, Kaye Smith Harvey of Las Vegas, Nevada, Diane Sheridan Phil of Missoula, Montana, and Linda Schild Ed of Las Vegas, Nevada and his grandchildren, Rebecca, Kaitlin, Christopher, Abbie and Sadie. He was preceded in death by his parents Dean and Lillian Bailey.
Ken loved people and he made many good friends throughout his life. His family wishes to thank all of them for the love and outpouring of support they showed during his illness. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 1:00 pm at BONNEY-WATSON Federal Way, 1534 SW Dash Point Rd. 253 839-7317. A reception will follow at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. A reception will be held in Indio, California at a later time. Donations in Ken’s remembrance can be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org
Dear Kaye, Linda and families,
I was sorry to learn of Ken’s passing. Had it not been for Linda contacting Ken, and Ken giving him a chance, hard telling where Kevin would have ended up as tight as the job market was then. I know Kevin certainly appreciated him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Kay Mathews
Ken has been my best friend and golfing buddy since we both bought in Heritage Palms in 2003. Besides playing golf as a two man team, we both enjoyed sippin’ Jack Daniels and listening to classical music and opera. I cherish those times and remember them fondly. I miss him terribly now.
Elaine & Family,
With deepest sympathy and sorrow, my Elaine and I share our condolences for the loss of this wonderful man and friend. I loved playing golf and sharing his sight experiences with him. He always had a smile and loved life with the guys. He is and will be missed.
Sincerely,
Stevo & Elaine Robinson
Mrs. Bailey, Dan, & Chris,
I was so very sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Bailey, your dad, was my boss when I first started work at Boeing, 23 years ago. I also remember him from all the times I was at your home, while in high school and Girl Scouts.
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely, Lucinda Okert Larson-Olds
Dear Elaine and family,
Linda and I send our deepest sympathy to you for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
My families prayers are with you and your family. I worked for Ken for 10 years in Auburn. We met when it was announced that he would be the man in charge to get CMC up and running. Although Kens physical presence could be daunting, once I got to know him it did not take long for me to realize his compassion for folks was one of his greatest strengths. He was a great mentor to me.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
I knew Ken and worked with his son at Boeing. To the son, Dan, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lasting memories of Ken will get you all through the grieving days ahead. I know, because my father passed away when I was 18. Family is the best and I am sure you are surrounded by the same.
Growing up on a dry-land farm outside of East Helena, the highlight of our summer would always be when Uncle Ken would bring his family to Montana for a visit. It would mean camping at Canyon Ferry or Marysville, a break from the chores, and bonding with our more sophisticated ‘big city’ cousins. Executive at Boeing; a big man with a commanding presence, we kids would always be intimidated at first but would warm to him quickly, as it was easy to see through to his kind and gentle heart. I remember that he was always concerned for us kids’ safety and he took it upon himself as his personal responsibility to ensure that we were always entertained, always having fun. Clearly, family was his lifetime’s priority. True blue, gracious host, and a gentleman in every sense of the word, he will be sorely missed by all of us whose lives he touched.
-On behalf of Kaye and Harvey Smith’s children: Therese, Kent, and Steven.
Elaine and family.
I did not know Ken well but I share your sorrow and pain with you.
Hope you can find peace in your hearts soon. Thinking of you.
Mitzi Kerwien
To the Bailey Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked for Ken at the Fabrication Division back in the 1980s and was in awe of such a grand man. Ken was a tough leader but one that I learned the most from as he expected the very best from all of his employees. Boeing’s many successes are a result of great leaders like Ken. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Elaine,
Please except our deepest sympathy
for the loss of you husband Ken. I worked for Ken for many years at the Fabrication Division. He treated my wife and I with great respect and left many fond memories of the years past
Elaine, Dan,
I’m very sorry to hear that Ken has lost this battle. Knowing him as I did years ago at Boeing, I’m sure he put up a tough fight. He was a strong leader of the caliber seldon seen these days. Truely a great man. He has been and will be missed.
Elaine, I have fond, but scary memories of our trip to Israel with Ken on business. I have been back there several times since, but nothing like what happend to us.
Take care
Martin Hansen
What a great person! I enjoyed so much sitting and having a cool drink and talking about golf and fishing and just what ever. 4th of July will never be the same. I’m very proud to have known Ken.
Elaine,
We are sorry to learn of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolence.
May the Lord be with you.
Ira and Susan Groves
Dear Elaine, Dan, & Christy, Tony and I were so saddened to see Ken’s obituary in today’s Seattle Times. How lucky we were to have you as welcoming neighbors way back in September 1972. I hope all the splendid memories of Ken fill your hearts and help you during these days of pain and sadness. We will be in Ellensburg on Tuesday and cannot be at the service, but we will be thinking of you with love. – Laurie & Tony
To my good friend, Ken, of 60+ years – you have now found the gold you were looking for. We will miss you.
Lanny and Sharon
To the Ken Bailey family,
What a great fellow Montanan to know while working at Boeing. His leadership was a huge impact on what we did for the products we worked on. The Frederickson site was a great example. He was always a joy to work with. I will always remember his smile, laughter, and sincerity thoughout the years of knowing Ken. May God bless your family.
Dear Elaine,
Condolences to you and your family on Ken’s passing.
The shared times we had together were absolutely wonderful.
Ken’s kindness, upbeat attitude and competiveness will alway be remembered by everyone. His sense of humor and wit were contagious.
We have been blessed to have both of you come into our lives.
I worked for Ken on the B2 Proposal Team & 777 Composite Empenage. I was in awe the way he managed. He was one of the classic Boeing Managers as exemplified in Legends and Legacy, with character, values, smarts & respect for people. He made a huge impact on me. God bless his family in coping with this loss.
It is difficult to put into words what a special man Ken was…gentleman, giving, caring, humorous, kind, bright, outstanding, just don’t seem sufficient. Ken will always be in our hearts and we know he is in God’s arms now. Our prayers are with his amazing family. Love, Rick and Lorraine Plagge
We are truly saddened to hear of Ken’s passing. Elaine, we extend our condolences to you and your family.
We have appreciated the kindness the two of you have extended to us at Twin Lakes. Ken will certainly be missed.
We will continue to offer up our prayers that God will give you His help, His strength and His hope during this time of sorrow.
We are truly sad to hear of Ken’s passing, Elaine. We extend our deepest condolences to you and to your family.
We had such a great time golfing together in Australia and at your country club. We always enjoyed hearing of your travels at the travel group meetings as well as sharing fishing trips and adventures.
Ken’s large presence and laughter will be missed by us all.
Larry and Dian Olson
Dearest Elaine and family, We were so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. We know that he is pain free now and with the Lord.
Ken is probably throwing a line out to catch that one that got away or setting up for that next hole in one!
Elaine, you have so many memories to hold close to your heart. It will be those memories and the love you’ve shared with Ken for 51 yrs. that will sustain you in the times ahead.
Wish we could be there for you, but know you’re in our hearts and prayers. Much love, Al and Genie
Even though we met just 6 years ago we still think of you as life long friends. Ken will be greatly missed in the “compound”. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Love, Gene & Geri
Elaine
We wish to extent our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
We are sorry that we cannot be with you on Tuesday to celebrate Ken’s life.
Some of the best memories of our retired years were the winters we spent with you and Ken touring the U S from coast to coast usually following the “blue Dutch Star” down the highway exploring and seeing new and interesting places and playing golf along the way.
We will miss you Ken.
Our family extends our condolences to the entire extended Bailey family on the death of Ken. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. You are all in our thoughts especially during this sad time in your lives.
With love–Karen, Jerry, Lindsey and Derek
Elaine: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and know that Ken is with the Lord and in peace. We will continue to pray for you and your family and hope you will soon find closure. You and Ken had so many wonerful years of celebration. Wish we could be with you on Tuesday. You are precious to us!
Love, Carolyn and Kent Nelson
To the Bailey Family,
I had the extreme pleasure of knowing Ken for the past 23 years. I remember the outstanding times we had playing golf, hunting and fishing with both Ken and his son Dan. I had great admiration and respect for Ken, he was a true gentleman!!
May it comfort you to know that, Ken is safe in God’s care now, and that friends are praying for you in your time of sorrow. With deepest sympathy, Roland and Debbie Cantu
To The Bailey Family: A long time ago a scared young Boeing employee was introduced to Mr. Bailey, or Sir as I preferred to call him. A mountain of a man, a person that brought real presence. Many years and countless hours later he became Ken. A collegue, a friend and the mountain of a man turned out to have an even bigger heart. Peace to you and to Ken. Ross
For the past 22 years, I have called Ken, my father-in-law.
I will forever remember the kindness you showed towards everyone who crossed your path in life.
What a void we face now, with your passing.
I will remember you always!
You are truly a class act!
To the entire Bailey Family. Please accept our deepest sympothy’s from our entire family to your’s for the loss of Ken. I’ve always had a great respect for Ken becasue of the way he treated me and made me feel when I was around him. It’s not too many people you meet that you can hold in such a light and Ken was one of them. For a man whom I spent sporadic time with over the past 17 years with, each time was memorable. The smile and Fatherly way he would address me could only be mastered by my Grandmother and later on…Ken Bailey. He knew it too and we’d smile. at one another. Ken made me feel a part of his life when you were with him.
I will truly miss Ken Bailey
Jim Sullivan and Family
Sue and I have spent a lot of time with Ken and Elaine in the last few years. They have become one of our best friends. Charlie was always welcome at their homes. He has been one of my best golf friends. Sat. with Ken, Ralph, Al and I were the best.
We also spent a lot of time with Ken and Elaine in various golf evens.
In our travels with them we shared many meals with them. The days golf would be discussed as well as all our traveling. Ken was a good counselor of where to go and stay as he and Elaine had been most everyplace across the country. Ken always said “we were there” “
Now we have lost Ken to cancer. He fought it as best he could, but this time he did not win. He will be greatly missed not only by Sue and I, but all his friends at Twin Lakes in Federal way and his friends at Heritage Palms in Indio, California. God bless Ken. Get those greens ready up there in heaven and keep the tempature just right for Charlie.
Dad,
Thanks for being a great father. We shared so much together. I will miss you greatly, but will take comfort knowing that we will meet up again in heaven someday. Until then, I will try to avoid making too many double bogeys.
Love,
Dan