Floyd Lester Bailey Jr.

Floyd Lester "Sonny" Bailey, 79, passed away on November 20, 2024, in Marion, Oregon. Born on January 19, 1945 in Salem, Oregon, Floyd grew up in Jefferson, where he attended Jefferson schools, graduating in 1964. He married Jean Marie Miller on March 15, 1966. He was a man of many talents and was a lifelong learner, mastering numerous trades through self-teaching and sheer determination.

Floyd's professional life was varied and fulfilling. He began working in lumber mills around Lyons, Oregon, in the late 1960s. He held positions at Perry Davis Farms and Freres Lumber throughout the 1970s and managed school bus yards for Bradley Bus in Jefferson and Scio. In the mid-1980s, he joined Greenberry Tank and Iron, where he eventually retired. In addition to his full-time jobs, Floyd dedicated himself to maintaining the Bailey Family Farm, growing crops of mint, wheat, and sugarbeets, often with the help of his wife and (reluctant) daughters. The combination of full time employment and full time farming required a tremendous time commitment and many of his family members will remember him as the hardest working person they’ve ever known.

Beyond his work, Floyd was a passionate hobbyist. He was an avid carpenter, gardener, and model train enthusiast. His travels in his RV with Jean, his children, and his grandchildren brought him great joy, as did the hours spent in his beloved train room. He loved decorating for Christmas both inside and outside his home. He took great pride in his outdoor light displays that attracted visitors that would slow down, and even stop, along the highway to view in the evenings. His two Christmas trees he set up inside each year with numerous trains and animated ornaments were a source of great fascinaton for his great grandson. Additionally, his commitment to community service was evident through his long tenure on the Marion School Board and his active membership in the Lion's Club in Jefferson.

Floyd is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Marie Bailey; daughters, Lisa (Bailey) Wood of Independence, and Amy (Bailey) Harris of Jefferson; grandson, Jonah; granddaughters, Bailey and Jordyn; and great-grandson, David. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Lester Bailey, Sr., and Hazel Olive (Sherwood) Bailey, and his sister, Mildred (Bailey) Woodward.

A service to honor Floyd's life will be held at 1 pm on December 17, 2024, at the Jefferson Community Center, 107 N. Main St., Jefferson, Oregon 97352. His life was a testament to the power of curiosity, hard work, and community involvement, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.