Ruben Bailey's Obituary
SSG. Ruben Bailey, Sr. was born July 4, 1927 in England, Arkansas and passed away in the loving arms of Jesus Christ on October 27, 2010 in Tacoma, Washington. He is preceded in death by J.C. Bailey (father), Bessaline Bailey, (mother) and Tequila Mae Banks (daughter).
Ruben was married to his lovely and beautiful wife, Josephine Bailey of Lawton, Oklahoma, for 57 years. In this union they had 12 children: 3 sons and 9 daughters; Ruben Jr., Ronald, Barry (Kathleen), Jessie Mae, Mable, Corlin, Gwendolyn (Wally), Barbara (Leo Sr.), Teresa (Joe), Terrie, and Celetine; 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews in New York and Oklahoma.
At the early age of 16, Ruben enlisted in into the Navy, and then enlisted for 4 years in the Air Force before finally enlisting in the Army and retiring after 20 years of service.
After retiring from the military, Ruben held numerous jobs in the Tacoma area such as: Weyerhaeuser, Tacoma Police Department, Tacoma School District 10, and Tacoma Mall Security. During those times, Ruben accomplished completing his Associates Degree at Tacoma Community College and Bachelors of Science at Central Washington University. He was a long time member of Shiloh Baptist Church and enjoyed his church family.
We would like to thank our daughter, sister and aunt, Gwendolyn for all the help with our poppa Bailey.
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