George Bailey

George L. Bailey, 86, of Olathe, KS peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Olathe Medical Center following a lengthy illness with cancer. Private family internment will be in Enon Cemetery in Lead Hill, Arkansas. The family suggests contributions to The Good Samaritan Society of Olathe, Kansas c/o the Wellness Program of Cedar Lake Village.

George was born in Keener, Arkansas on January 7, 1922 to Lewis and Sallie (Miller) Bailey. He was born at the family home in the beautiful Ozark hills. His childhood was spent hunting squirrels, fishing and working with his parents on the farm. In 1934, his family began their journey towards Los Angeles; making their way by stopping to work at farms and picking fruit. George always loved the film "The Grapes of "Wrath" because he said it so closely followed his journey across to California. George attended Hollywood High School and later met his future wife, Marjorie when they would both would arrive to pick up their mothers who worked together at the Pacific Home in Hollywood. He later married Marjorie L. Smith on June 2, 1944 at the Little Brown Chapel in Hollywood. George worked at Southern California Freight Lines as a driver and dispatcher for several years. They lived in Hollywood for a few years before moving out to the San Fernando Valley where they lived in the same home in North Hollywood until 1981. George and Marjorie then went on to own and operate Bailey Trucking Service in Los Angeles for over 40 years.

George decided to close the business and retire in 1981. They moved to Lake Isabella, California where they enjoyed growing fruit trees and vegetables on their property; enjoyed taking the boat out on the lake with their family and especially spending time with their grandchildren. In 1987, they found the home of their dreams while attending a family reunion in Harrison, Arkansas and moved back to spend the next 18 years. He was so happy during these years, he loved his home of 40 acres on Gaither Mountain, especially their own lake where he could fish with the grandkids and enjoy the quiet and beauty of the Ozark Hills.

George and Marjorie moved to Cedar Lake Village in Olathe, Kansas in January 2006 due to Marjorie's poor health and to be closer to their youngest daughter, Kathy and her family. His wife, Marjorie passed away on December 21, 2006.

George was a quiet and gentle man who always had a kind word to say about everyone. He loved to work on his cars and trucks. George never found a motorized tool or household appliance that he couldn't take apart, fix and make it better than new. He was friend to many residents and employees at Cedar Lake and enjoyed a good game of billiards with his son-in-law, Greg and grandson, Kevin. He dearly loved his cat, Pepper, who was his constant companion.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother, Haskell, two sisters, Louise and Mary Ann and a grandson, Brian Aldis.



George is survived by four daughters; Sandra Gentry and husband Gary of St. George, Utah; Sallie Pierce and husband Ed of Rolling Hills, California; Robin Tomblin and husband Larry of Placerville, California; and Kathy Tompkins and husband Greg of Olathe, Kansas; his brother-in-law, R. Jack Smith of McLean, Virginia; ten grandsons, Russell Foster, Stephen Gentry, John, Jeff, James and Joshua Reese; Todd, Scott and Brett Tomblin; Kevin Tompkins; and his beautiful two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kristen Tompkins which were very special to him. He also had an extended family of eight great grandchildren. George was a loving husband, father, Papa, son, brother and friend. He will be sadly missed and remembered for his devotion to his daughters and family.