James P "Jim" Bailey 70, was born on January 25, 1946 in Houston, Texas to his parents James P. Bailey, Sr. and Beth Christian Bailey and left this life on November 12, 2016 at his home in Willis, Texas surrounded by his loving family. Jim was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Willis. Jim has struggled over the last several years with illness, but he has truly overcome this burden and is now flying free. Jim faced his illness head on and he did it with such grace and joy. His thoughts were always positive and he did everything his doctors requested of him. He always had a kind word for anyone who saw him and managed to tell you something funny before you left his side. Thank you Jim for always making the rest of us feel better.

Jim moved to Montgomery County with his parents at the age of two and spent all of his life here. He attended Willis schools from first to seventh grade, however began to attend Conroe ISD in the eighth grade because Conroe had junior high football. Jim achieved many accomplishments on the gridiron playing fullback for Conroe High School where he was selected as All-District for 1962 &1963 and selected for the All-State Team in 1963. Jim made many life-long friends during his school years and over the last number of weeks was visited by many of his former classmates. He had such a close bond with his class friends and knew where a lot of them were living. Jim graduated from Conroe High in 1964 and attended Sam Houston State University where he received his BBA degree in 1969. He returned to Conroe ISD with his teaching certification and was employed by the district from 1970 until 2003 when he retired. During his tenure with the district, he taught high school English and Business; served as assistant principal at Conroe High until 1976; and finishing his career with the district serving as Deputy Director and then as Director of School Transportation. Jim retired from Conroe ISD after 33 years of service in the district. It was always a good day when he could run into some of his many school bus drivers after his retirement. Needless to say, he loved Conroe school district and spent a large portion of his life there.

Jim was very active in the community of Conroe and having his real estate licensure and process server credentials help him to fill his summertime. Jim served on the Montgomery County Emergency Committee; was appointed by the Montgomery County to serve on the Highway and Improvement Committee for county development and strategic planning for projected growth; He was appointed by the Texas State Comptroller Office for school transportation evaluations and belonged to the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation. He was appointed by the Texas State legislature as a liaison for school transportation issues. Jim was a Certified Substance Abuse Supervisor and Accident Review Director involving accidents of all school vehicles. He served on the board for the Friends of Conroe and was for years on a Barbecue Cook-off Team for the Montgomery County Fair.

In August of 1965, Jim married the love of his life, who was also his former classmate, Diann Oglesby Bailey and they recently celebrated 51 years together. Jim and Diann have one daughter Jamie Elizabeth Blair Glass. They also have a son Jason Leon Bailey who died in infancy. Jim's pride and joy were his two granddaughters Bailey Elizabeth Blair who is currently a freshman at Concordia University in Austin; and Sadie Glen Blair who is a freshman at Willis High School. All of these girls made his life just about perfect and he cherished each of them.

Saving a place at the table are Jim's grandparents Bill and Zelma Bailey; Robert and Lee Vena Christian; Father- James P. Bailey, Sr.; son Jason Leon Bailey and grandson Jackson Theodore Blair; Father and Mother In Law David Leon "Boots" and Elizabeth Oglesby

Survivors include: wife Diann Oglesby Bailey of Willis; daughter Jamie Elizabeth Blair Glass and son in law Michael Wade Glass both of Conroe; granddaughters Bailey Elizabeth Blair and Sadie Glen Blair; mother Mary Beth Christian Bailey of Conroe; sister Linda Bailey Collier of Conroe; brother and sister in law Stanley and Karen Lilley of Conroe; cousin Freida Ann Brown of Willis and her son Mark Brown; wife Tonia, daughter Taylor of Conroe; nieces Amanda Diann Olson and husband Justin Olson of Dubai; Katy Elizabeth Deming and husband Matt Deming of Pearland; Melinda Collier Nelson of Webster; nephews -Tommie L. Collier and wife Pam of Port Lavaca; Gregory A. Collier and partner Israel Ortega of San Antonio; great nieces Chelsea L. Wright Hryc and husband Chris Hryc of League City; Hailey D. Nelson of College Station; Courtney L. Collier Jones and husband Jeff of Victoria; Stacey L. Collier Finster and husband James of Victoria; Kara Beth Collier Hopkins and husband Ryan of Lake McQueeny; great nephew Christian James Nelson of Webster. Great nieces and nephews Merritt and Olivia Olson; Roscoe and Dade Deming; Camden and Kadence Finster; Hunter and Colton Hopkins; and Great-great niece Emma Lee Hryc. Jim is also survived by additional cousins and friends.

Visitation for Jim Bailey will held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in the chapel of Cashner Funeral Home with the funeral services to begin at 12:30 PM. Dr. Jerry House, Jim's fellow classmate and retired Methodist minister will officiate his services. The service of committal will follow at Garden Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tommie Collier; Mark Brown; Matt Deming; Steve Crowley; Gregory Collier; Ben Lilley; Paul Henson; John King

Honorary pallbearers are Judge James Keeshan; Robert Zuber; Joe Guinn; Stan Lilley; Jimmie Edwards; Christian Nelson; Israel Ortega; Jeff Jones; James Finster; Ryan Hopkins

The family want to thank M. D. Anderson physician Dr. Douglas Nelson and Nurse Candace and St. Joseph Hospice and Nurse Tabitha for their loving attention to Jim.

To leave condolences for the family, please go to cashnerconroe.com