Robert James (Jim) Bailey

He grew up on Houghton St., and often talked about the pals he hung out with and the times they spent on the beach and biking along the lakeshore. He graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1948.

He was a member of the St Paul Lutheran Church and married Garnet Gordon on April 8, 1956. They spend their entire life in Ontonagon raising their four children and spoiling their grandchildren.

He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and then worked in Maintenance at Copper Range until his retirement. He could fix, repair and build anything. He also enjoyed playing cribbage and building puzzles in the winter. He looked great for his age and was often referred to as the “youngest looking old guy in town.” He loved to gather the neighbors for patio picnics in the back yard. His camp was the place he most like to go to for peace and solitude.

When our parents were younger, we were always on the beach. He and his brother, Tom, built a boat that we used to water ski (he could do it bare feet), take trips down the river and along the lake. We often took the boat to camp at Sleepy Bay where we would get up early to pick blueberries and mom would make blueberry pancakes. His love of agate picking seems to have been genetic as it has already passed to the next two generations. He and Garnet enjoyed Caribbean cruises and visits to Florida.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, parents, son Danny, son-in-law Marsh Martinus, brothers Benn and Tommy, sister Katherine.

He is survived by daughters, Carrie (Eric) Erickson, Mary Cox, and Leanne Martinus; daughter-in-law, Amy Sue Bailey; his grandchildren, Bailey Cox (Tim Laurich), Kelcie Cox (Chris Winquist), Brandon (Katie) Erickson, Marsh Martinus (Mia Morse), Andrew Bailey and Danielle Sue Bailey; great-grandchildren, Willow Plutchak, Isaac Erickson, and Rowan Winquist; and lots of nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for always being thankful and kind right up to the end. He always had a smile and a good attitude. He was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend a family could want.

Services will be announced at a later date. Special thanks to his neighbors, the VA, Horizon Home Care, Regional Hospice and Beacon Ambulance.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.