NEW BERN - Frederick H. "Ted" Bailey, 97, died Saturday, September 15, 2012, at his home. He was born July 31, 1915 in Woodleaf, NC, the son of George Hubbard and Emily Blackwood Bailey. He was predeceased by his first wife, Melba Olive Bailey of Cary, NC, and his second wife, Katherine "Kittye" Farmer Bailey of Wilson, NC.At the age of four, Mr. Bailey moved to Wake County, where he graduated from Cary High School. Following his graduation from North Carolina State College with a degree in agronomy, he was called to active duty with the 32nd Infantry Division and assigned as a second lieutenant to New Guinea and the Philippines. After 36 months he returned to the US, having been awarded the Bronze Star.
Mr. Bailey was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1955. He served as assistant operations officer for the infantry school in Fort Benning, Ga. He was released from the military with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Returning to civilian life in New Bern, he became vice president and later president of the New Bern Oil and Fertilizer Company. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in New Bern, where he served several terms as deacon.
During his career, Mr. Bailey served on several boards related to his profession: as chairman and president of the NC Soybean Producers Association; as treasurer of the American Soybean Producers Association; as chairman of the Grifton Fertilizer and Supply Company; and as a member of the boards of the Virginia-Carolina Grain Dealers Association and the Norfolk Southern Railway System. He was also a member of Governor Jim Hunt's Statewide Agriculture Steering Committee.
Community contributions included being the board chairman of both the Branch Bank and Trust Company of New Bern and the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control and Financing Authority of Craven County. He also served as a trustee of the Bishop Home of New Bern.
Second to his family, Bailey's passions included his alma mater, NC State University, and his garden. He was a member of the NC State Alumni Association and the Wolfpack Club. His yard was a haven of camellias, azaleas and annuals. He rooted and shared hundreds of cuttings with friends and neighbors, asking only that they enjoy them daily and remember the times they spent appreciating nature's beauty with "Ole Bailey."
Bailey is survived by his daughter, Barbara Von Hofe and her husband Stanley of Greenville, S.C.; his daughter, Catherine Talman of Greenville, S.C.; his son, Frederick H. "Rick" Bailey Jr. of New Bern; his stepdaughter, Donna Forbes Durkan and her husband James of Annapolis, Md.; his stepson, Dew Forbes and his wife Valerie Holden of Beaufort.
Mr. Bailey was also blessed with several grandchildren, Sarah Mullen Brackett and her husband, Lester of Greenville, S.C., Frederick H. Bailey III and his wife Sarah of New Bern, Johanna Bailey Von Hofe and her husband Daniel Pasko of Birmingham, Ala., Matthew Rollins Bailey and his wife Megan of Texas, James Patrick Mullen of Greenville, S.C., and Mark Benedict Muchmore of Arlington, Va. Grace Catherine Brackett, Lily Marie Brackett, Rachel Bailey Brackett and Penelope Rose Bailey are his cherished great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank his loyal caregivers Mary Mewborn, Brenda Simmons, Michelle Krieg and Donna Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the First Presbyterian Church building fund.
An interment will be held at Greenleaf Memorial Park's Lakeside Chapel at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be directed to www.pollockbest.com.
Arrangements are by Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations.
