Raymond James "Jim" Bailey

Raymond James Bailey, 87, of Norwalk, Iowa, was called home by his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, April 8, 2023, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jim was born November 14, 1935, to Joseph Bailey and Dorothy (Daker) Bailey. He attended school in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1954. After graduation Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1954 – 1956. After completion of his military service Jim attended college; he graduated in 1963 from Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado and embarked on his childhood dream of being a math teacher.

While attending college in Greeley, Jim met Marilyn Ochsner, his loving wife of over 60 years. They were united in marriage in Loveland, Colorado on September 8, 1962. To this union three children were born Mark, Gregg, and Cheryl.

Jim and Marilyn moved to Nyack, New York in April of 1964. Jim started his teaching career finishing the last 7 weeks of the school year in Nyack; he was the seventh teacher to fill the Math position in that school year. Jim taught and coached in Nyack until 1968. In 1968 Jim and Marilyn moved to the Sutton, Nebraska area. Jim took a teaching position at Sutton Public Schools where he taught math and coached. In 1972 he coached the Mustang wrestling squad to the first conference championship in school history. He retired from teaching in 1992. Jim and Marilyn moved to Ocala, Florida in 1994, enjoying life and retirement for 16 years. In 2010 they moved to Clive, Iowa to be closer to family.

Jim was a lifetime outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish; he loved to tell stories of his many adventures. Jim was also an avid golfer, cyclist, kayaker and pickleballer. Jim enjoyed these activities especially with his many great friends in his Des Moines VA group. Jim loved to travel and was able to fulfill his goal of visiting all 50 states. He was able to visit his 49th state (Alaska) with his wife, Marilyn. He fulfilled his quest of all 50 states with a visit to Hawaii with daughter, Cheryl in 2015.

Jim is survived by his wife Marilyn Bailey, their three children: Cheryl (Chris) Hochstein of Norwalk, Iowa, Gregg (Sara) Bailey of Crescent, Iowa and Mark (Barb) Bailey of Saronville, Nebraska; their 7 grandchildren, Landon and Bailey Hochstein of Norwalk, Iowa, Zach and Ethan Bailey of Omaha, Nebraska, Hannah (Kyle) Kirby of Crescent Iowa, Tyler Bailey of Sutton, Nebraska and Derek (Emily) Bailey of Aurora, Nebraska; and 1 great grandchild, Kennedy Bailey; sister- in -law Penny Bailey of Inverness, Florida; brother- and sister- in- law, Gerald and MaryLou Ochsner of Sutton, Nebraska; and nieces and nephews.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Joe and Dorothy Bailey, in- laws, Gilbert and Dina Ochsner, brother and sister-in-law, Lee and Norma Bailey, brother, Al Bailey and sister, Nancy Bailey.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive in Urbandale. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to EveryStep of Des Moines, Sutton Education Foundation c/o Sutton Public Schools, Sutton Nebraska, and Westkirk Presbyterian Church, Urbandale, Iowa, and VA Group of Des Moines.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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