James Bailey
James Clinton Bailey, 86, of Port Neches, died peacefully Thursday night, January 19, 2023, at Charlotte’s Care, Port Neches. He was born November 29, 1936, in Port Neches, to Alice Dearing Bailey and Gussie Frank Bailey.
Being the youngest of their three children, James loved to pester his brothers, Elmert and Robert. Growing up in the 1940’s, he was able to roam and explore pastures, fields, and undeveloped land chasing frogs and occasionally having to run from bulls. James was known to be quite the prankster. He had his own paper route and rode many miles to make his own money. In high school, you could find him hanging out with Kathaleen Smith at ball games, drive-ins, and church socials. James graduated from Port Neches Groves High School in 1955.
He married the love of his life, Kathaleen, on April 13, 1956. They chose Nederland as home where with the help of his father-in-law they drew up floor plans and built their house from the ground up. James and Kathy were proud members of Seventh Street Baptist Church.
James retired as an instrument technician with Texaco Inc after over thirty years of service, several strikes, and advancements. He was known to be a jack of all trades; there wasn’t anything he wasn’t willing to work on and loved to figure out how things work. Electronics, repairing TVs, and satellites were one of his passions that he turned into a business – Neches Electronics, and later built his own computer.
James loved watching sports and would be so disappointed at his Dallas Cowboys. Westers, government, CIA, and spy novels were some of his favorite genres to read. He was intrigued with the JFK assassination and was doing his best to find out the truth.
James cherished all the time spent with his family and loved taking them on vacations. You could often find him behind the video camera capturing all the special moments. His favorite place to spend time with his family was at his camp at Shoney Shores on Toledo Bend fishing, swimming, bird watching, and taking the pontoon out. Some of his favorite games to play were Skip-Bo, dominoes, solitaire, and free cell. All through his adult life he had Chihuahuas and he treated them like his children.
Survivors include his daughters, Connie Gregory and husband, James, of Groves and Cindy Aucoin of Nederland; grandchildren, Jeremy and Joshua Aucoin; Sara Stewart and husband, Johnathan; and Aaron Gregory; and great-grandchildren, James, JonniSue, and Jerry Stewart.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of over fifty-five years, Kathaleen Gail Bailey; brothers, Elmer and Robert Bailey; son, Rodney Bailey; and granddaughter, Alana Aucoin;
A gathering of Mr. Bailey’s family and friends will 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2023, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Baker-Bell Cemetery, CR 4600, Warren, Texas.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to Charlotte’s Care staff- Mayra, Maria, Marisol, and Juanita for taking exemplary care of our dad and grandpa. Along with Southeast Texas Hospice for their services.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- January 26, 2023
- 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- January 27, 2023
- 10:30 am
Interment
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
MR. BAILEY WAS A GREAT PERSON WILLING TO HELP ANYONE OUT. I GOT TO HAVE MEALS WITH HIM, LONG LONG TALKS, AND DRIVE HIM DIFFERENT PLACES WHEN HE NEEDED AS HE GOT OLDER. RIP MR BAILY
I remember meeting Mr Bailey the first time it was the last day of school I got asked to go fishing at rollover past on hwy 87 on the beach hwy my first year in Jr high Rodney’s grandfather called to see about going to massy lake Rodney asked if he could invite someone to go fishing also so Rodney asked if I wanted to go fishing the next morning Rodney’s grandfather came to pick us up I guess I was good because next thing I know I was adopted grand son when Rodney and Mr Bailey were doing satellites I got asked to help out I didn’t mind Mr Bailey taught me how to program the satellite boxes from time to time when Rodney and his mom and dad would go camping I was asked if I wanted to go camping I cherish those times I’ll never forget Mr Bailey he was always kind to me miss you Mr Bailey one day we will see each other in heaven.
It was an honor for me being part of the team that took care of Mr Bailey, he was very sweet and always ready to enjoy a good conversation, he was very appreciative and loved to play domino
mr bailey treated me like he was my second dad i learned some thing from him like programing sat. boxes i enjoyed taking him to houston for his eye dr appointments took him to dallas for his 2 or 3 day classes for investment he was a very smart man when the bailey’s went camping i got invited he will be missed.
I graduated from PNG Class of 1955 with James. He loved his family. R.I.P.