James P. Bailes, Jr. (Jim) passed away on June 13, 2022 at his home surrounded by family. Jim was born May 4, 1931 in Fort Mill, SC. He graduated from Union High School in 1949 and like his father and three younger brothers was a Clemson University graduate.
Jim was the son of the late James P. Bailes, Sr. and Louise Smith Bailes of Union, SC. in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry Bailes of Florence, SC., and John K. Bailes of Sumter, SC and an infant daughter.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Sara McCall Bailes; son, James P. Bailes III (wife Melissa); daughter Ann Bailes Braswell (husband Robert); grandchildren, James Parker Bailes IV of Greenville, SC., Charlotte Bailes Garcia (husband Daniel) of Hendersonville, and Samuel Luke Bailes (wife Brandy) of Hendersonville; great grandchildren, Annabella and Wrenley Garcia. He is also survived by a brother, William J. Bailes of Fairfax, VA.
After fulfilling his ROTC Army commitment in Germany (1954-1957), Jim and Sara moved back to the states. Jim was the business manager and Sara the personal secretary to Frank Bell at Camp Mondamin in Tuxedo, NC for several years. Jim took a job with the USDA–Farmer Home Administration in Hendersonville, from which he retired. Jim and Sara were very active in the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville where he served as an usher, the German Club and the Elks Club where he was a Trustee and member for 56 years. Jim was also active with the Lions Club, American Legion, Hendersonville Area Computer Society, Dowser Club and as a tax aide through the AARP.
Services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville on Saturday, June 25 at 11:00am. Afterwards, a gathering at the Elks Club for a light lunch. An Internment will be at the Whitmire Cemetery in Whitmire, SC on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.