John McKinley Bailey, 81, of Kalkaska passed away on May 20, 2005, at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center - Long Term Care Unit.
Born on Nov 12, 1923, in Highland Park, John was the son of John McKinley, Sr, and Ameila (Kuebel) Bailey.
A veteran of the US Army, John served our country during WWII in the 311th Signal Co, Aviation Army Air Force Station 194th as an airplane and automotive mechanic in England and Germany.
John married Dorothy Miller on Feb 14, 1944, in Detroit. They lived in Rockwood adn then moved to the Hunt Creek area between Atlanta and Lewiston, where they lived for 20 years until Dorothy passed on.
John was an expert tool maker in many shops in the Detroit area and retired from Cooper-Standard in Gaylord. He invented the "Bailey Straightener" that corrected a problem that had plagued the company for which he worked for some time.
John moved to Florida in 1991 and resided in Fruitland Park near Leesburg for 11 years enjoying the weather. He was on five bowling leagues in Florida. Everyone who knew him enjoyed hearing his many jokes. He was always a happy person to be around.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, on May 20, 1987, and son Ralph Graham in Jul 1980.
He is survived by his daughter, Jan Parker and Richard Parker, both of Kalkaska, sister, Jeanne Bailey, granddaughter, Jennifer Bell (and Dave Bell) and grandson, Jeffrey Parker (and Rebecca Parker) and great grandsons, David, Joshua, and Jonathan.
Cremation has taken place per John's wishes. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home. Kalkaska.
