Henry Bailey

Longtime Douglas County resident, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Henry M., "Hank", "Tucky" Bailey, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2011.
Hank was the second of six children born to Edith and Henry A. Bailey on February 28, 1918, in Sharon Springs Kansas. The Bailey family moved to Oregon when Hank was a very young boy. Educated in Douglas County schools, Hank graduated from Roseburg High School in 1938. It was at Roseburg Senior High School that Hank met his love, Verna Guile.
During World War II, Hank served as a tail gunner in the United States Army Eighth Air Force B-24 Liberator unit, 467th bombardment group, aboard the "Pappy Yokum" stationed at Rackheath, England. The group set unsurpassed record for bombing accuracy on April 15, 1945, holding the record for bombing accuracy in the Eighth Air Force.
Hank and Verna were married in Roseburg on June 29, 1945.
On April 24, 1947, a son, Terry Michael Bailey was welcomed in to the Bailey home followed by the birth of a daughter, Joni Rae on September 27, 1951.
Post-war opportunity for success was not long wasted on Henry. He had the confidence, determination, and keen sense of business savvy to embark on building a lumber company. He adeptly started acquiring milling equipment and lumber buying skills. In 1950, he entered a partnership with Lloyd Crenshaw and Jack Kerr. They formed Green Valley Lumber Company and began production in the Green area of Roseburg. In the late 1950's, Green Valley Lumber Company moved to Myrtle Creek. In 1961 Hank was joined by A.B. "Mac" McGuire in Green Valley Lumber, Inc. They enjoyed a strong and profitable partnership and lifelong friendship. Hank and "Mac" sold Green Valley Lumber Company, Inc., to Fibreboard Corporation in 1969. Hank continued to work for Fibreboard/Louisianna Pacific Corporation as Northwest Regional Manager until his retirement in 1977.
Hank had a true appreciation and caring for his coworkers and employees. He worked alongside them in many catastrophes at the mill and in the community. One such incident was the 1964 flood, when he sent mill workers and trucks to help evacuate the flooded housing area in west Roseburg near the Catholic Church. At the same time, he was coordinating a rescue operation in Myrtle Creek to salvage equipment and thousands of board feet of Green Valley lumber floating away in the swollen river.
In 1966, "Mac" and Hank purchased several farm properties in Days Creek, Oregon forming Green Valley Farms. They enjoyed raising cattle, being ranchers, and creating a beautiful white-fenced show place.
In 1967 Hank and Verna built a home on Tenmile Lake. He would to refer to it as, "Poor man's Hawaii". Sitting in his easy chair after a long day of working in the yard or fishing on the dock, he would love and admire the panoramic view and tranquility of the lake. There were many fun times with friends and lots of pranks over the years.
As an investor in residential and commercial real estate, and various businesses, he met people who remained his good friends and remember him fondly as cautious, conservative, and caring.
Through the 1980's and 90's Hank and Verna traveled the United States in their motor home, took cruises to many countries and spent weeks in Hawaii. At their home in Yuma, Arizona, they enjoyed golfing, and basking in the sunshine with "snowbird" friends during the cold winter months.
With their donation to Umpqua Community College, the "Hank and Verna Bailey Endowment Scholarship" was created in 2005. They were honored to be selected by the Umpqua Community College Foundation as recipients of the "Friends of Umpqua Community College" the same year.
A landmark Ponderosa pine tree on the Bailey property overlooking downtown Roseburg was uprooted and blown down during a major wind storm March 13, 2011. Hank had an enormous affection for the large statuesque tree - Having lost both so close to each other is such a coincidence.
Hank was preceded in death by son, Terry Michael Bailey; brothers, Bernard, Joseph and Harold; sisters, Loretta (Bailey) Guyer and Maxine (Bailey) Cacy. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Verna; daughter, Joni (Jeff) Byers; granddaughter, Jennifer (Jeff) Jones; grandson, Jason Byers; great-grandsons, Wyatt, Kincaid and Keaton Rees Jones, all of Roseburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.
For those who wish to honor his memory, contributions may be made to Camp Millennium, 2876 Diamond Lake Blvd. Roseburg, OR 97470 or to the Umpqua Community College Foundation, PO Box 967, Roseburg, OR 97470.
A private family funeral service was held on Saturday, April 23 with celebrant, Deacon John Stenbeck. Please visit www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com , to view a brief slideshow of his life and to leave condolences for the family.
Verna, Joni and family extend a special thank you to the family and friends that have cared, shared and helped Hank enjoy a beautiful life....