James M. Bailey

James M. Bailey was born July 12, 1937 in New Hampton, IA to parents Martin and Amy Bailey. He spent part of his childhood in Spencer, and then moved to Des Moines, graduating from Dowling High School. As a teenager he had a television appliance repair business. Later in life he owned and operated a private detective business for three decades.

James was united in marriage to Theresa Burg in 1958. They were blessed with two children, MaryAlice and Patrick Sean. He served in the Air Force for four years being stationed in Colorado and North Dakota. He worked with the Titan missiles and also Minute Man. James went through lockdown during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a very patriotic person.

James was an avid reader and had a high intelligence in computers and all electronics. In the 1970’s he worked for both IBM and for Hewlett Packard. After that he opened his private detective company. When not working, he enjoyed watching classic movies, growing his own tomatoes and traveling. Over the years he visited 48 states and took a cruise to Alaska. One detective case took him to Brazil.

In 1983 he married Jana Wyhs in Denver, CO. They moved to Iowa in 2005 and settled in Alta. It was a peaceful place to retire after the hectic life in a metropolitan city. He discovered the fun of going to auctions where he made many friendships.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his only son, Patrick who died October 4, 2014 (James will be laid to rest beside him); an infant brother, Paul; sisters, Mary and Alice Bailey; and brothers-in-law, Leon Pray and Robert Burgus.

He is survived by his wife, Jana; daughter, MaryAlice Drew and her mother, Theresa Bailey; grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Faith Drew; great-grandson, Nyke Drew; and sisters, Rose Burgus and Frances Pray.

There are no words to express how much he was loved. The things that people loved about James were his affectionate nature, his joyful sense of humor and his willingness to always be there for family. We will miss his warmth and generosity in giving himself to others. God has taken him from us, but he leaves an imprint on every heart with loving memories.