James Wilson Bailey

James Wilson Bailey, age 82, of Glasgow, passed away, Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Shanti Niketan Hospice home in Glasgow, Kentucky. He was born in Etoile, Kentucky on January 03, 1942, to the late James Howard Bailey and the late Lois Steenbergen Bailey.

James was a 1960 graduate of Temple Hill High School. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky. James taught Agriculture and was an FFA advisor for 32 years. He began his teaching career at Taylor County High School and briefly taught at Austin Tracy and Temple Hill. After Barren County schools consolidated, he spent the rest of his career at Barren County High School. "Mr. Bailey" loved teaching and being an FFA adviser. He often spoke highly of his students throughout his career. He also served in many local and state leadership positions, including President and Vice President of the Kentucky Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (KVATA). For many years, he has served the Barren County FFA Alumni Association, including a tenure as president. Throughout his teaching career, he led five state winning judging teams, received 29 state Gold Chapter Ratings and over 20 National Chapter awards. James was also a member of the Barren County Lion’s Club for over 50 years, and served his community voluntarily and with pride through this organization for various community events. He served as reporter for the Barren County Cattlemen’s Association for several years. James was a faithful member of Peter’s Creek Church of Christ, where he proudly taught Sunday School and was a song leader.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen Perkins Bailey; two children, Jennifer Bailey-Spangler (Eric) of Lexington, Kentucky and James Ray Bailey (Jaime) of Franklin, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Wilson Rane Spangler, Sawyer Anne Spangler, Gracen Elizabeth Bailey, Cash David Bailey; one sister, Mary Nell Lewis; and several nieces and nephews. He was dearly loved by his entire family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Brown.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, September 23rd at A.F. Crow & Son Funeral Home with burial in the Caney Fork Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 PM, Sunday, September 22nd and Monday morning until time for the service at the funeral home.