James H. Bailey, D.V.M., age 93, of Brookings, died May 12, 2017, at the Brookings hospital.
Funeral services will be 11: a.m. Friday, May 19, at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 Seventh Ave., Brookings. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Eidsness Funeral Home. James will be buried in Atlantic, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at 11 a.m.
James was born Aug. 12, 1923, to Ross Campbell Bailey and Louisa (Munsen) Bailey in Bancroft, Iowa. He grew up in Atlantic, Iowa, where his father engaged in the practice of Veterinary medicine. After graduating from Atlantic High School, James entered Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, where his pursuit of a degree in Veterinary medicine was interrupted by WWII when James was drafted into the Army. After basic training in anti-aircraft artillery on the West Coast, James was selected to continue his education at ISU with specialized training in Veterinary medicine and was in the first group eligible for the GI Bill. James met Roberta Josephine Gaulke, the love of his life upon his return to ISU, at a joint music event between her sorority, Delta Zeta, and his fraternity, Farmhouse. They married on May 26, 1946, and, after graduating in June, 1946, with a degree in Veterinary medicine, they moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where they started their family and James started his career in veterinary practice with his father. In 1956, Dr. Bailey joined the staff at the ISU Veterinary Ambulatory Clinic where he worked with farmers and senior veterinary students in the field and he developed an interest in swine nutrition. In 1958, he joined Walnut Grove Feed Company to pursue his interest in livestock nutrition where he worked as a field veterinarian and developed educational programs for veterinarians as well as feed salesmen in several surrounding states. Dr. Bailey’s heavy travel schedule permitted him to pursue his passion of flying. In 1958, he became a licensed pilot to enable him to readily visit his territory in all surrounding states.
In 1968, Dr. Bailey accepted a position as Extension Veterinarian for the State of South Dakota with SDSU which enabled him to continue his interest in animal nutrition, teaching and working with farmers and veterinarians, alike. He retired from this position in 1985 and continued to work with the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association (SDVMA) as Executive Director from 1985-1996. Dr. Bailey had a long, distinguished career in which he made notable contributions to Veterinary Medicine and served on many committees devoted to education in his field including the Extension Specialists Board of Directors; Livestock Expansion Foundation Board, Chairman of the Midwest Feed Manufacturers Association Veterinary Nutrition Conferences; Secretary – Treasurer and President American Association of Swine Practitioners, was a charter member of the American Association of Swine Practitioners, served as the organizations’ first Secretary in 1972 and as its President in 1980-81. Dr. Bailey served as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates through the 1970’s and on the Council on Biologics and Therapeutic Agents during the 1980’s. Dr. Bailey also presented professional papers on swine and cattle diseases at state, regional, national and international meetings. He was one of the original Extension personnel to compile the fact sheets that became the Pork industry Handbook. He contributed information on respiratory diseases and arthritis in swine. He served as the SDVMA Secretary/Treasurer from 1972 – 1985 until he assumed the positon of Executive Director.
Dr. Bailey received many honors for his professional work including being admitted into the Order of the Gentle Doctor of the ISU VM Challenge Fund; being named Veterinarian of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award by the SDVMA; Extension Veterinarian of the Year by the American Association of Extension Veterinarians. He also received the Distinguished Service Award and Honorary Master Pork Producer by the South Dakota Master Pork Producers; and the Howard Dunn Memorial Award for extraordinary service to veterinary medicine and the Swine industry. ISU College of Veterinary Medicine presented Dr. Bailey the prestigious Stange Memorial Award for distinguished alumni. In 1988, the SDVMA initiated the annual Herd Health Conference for continuing education for veterinarians. In 1997, the conference was renamed the James Bailey Herd Health Conference in recognition of Dr. Bailey’s contributions to veterinary medicine in South Dakota. Dr. Bailey loved attending these conferences and did so until after he reached 90 years of age. In spite of his many professional honors, Dr. Bailey remained humble, attributing all achievements to God and the combined efforts with his colleagues, along with the support of family and friends.
James was a loyal friend and father. He blessed his children with life lessons of integrity, loyalty, friendship and the joy of having many pets ranging from sheep, rabbits, a monkey, ponies and horses as well as dogs and cats. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Brookings where he sang in the choir and performed solos and sang with small groups.
His many hobbies included hunting and fishing. He particularly enjoyed the sojourn to Flin Flon, Canada, where he traveled annually for over 50 years to fish. He was an accomplished woodworker and his favorite medium was dark Iowa Walnut. The furniture and gifts made for his family and friends are treasured. He loved flying and, in addition to flying a V-tailed Bonanza, he refurbished a Piper Cub and a Stinson, with the help of his wife, Roberta. He enjoyed serving on the Brookings Airport Board and was a member of the American Bonanza Society, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Rifle Association, Farmhouse Alumni Association and Phi Mu Alpha music honorary, the American Legion, Golden K, and Elks Club.
James was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 71 years, Roberta G. Bailey, who passed away on Easter morning, April 16, 2017. His survivors include: his five (5) children: Carol Bailey of Corpus Christi, Texas; Mary Lou Ulmer (David) of Sioux Falls; Janet Meyer (Tom Wolf, special friend) of Watertown; Joyce Buckley (Paul) of Brookings; and John Bailey (Robin) of Sioux Falls; eight (8) grandchildren and eleven (11) great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Louisa Bailey; brother, Robert L. Bailey; and son, Dennis James Bailey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: SDVMA Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 2175, Brookings, SD 57007 or the charity of your choice.
