Clark L. Bailey

1925 - 2015

Clark L. Bailey

Clark L. Bailey, 89, of Wadsworth, died peacefully Saturday, February 21, 2015 at his residence.

Clark was born July 18, 1925 in Akron, Ohio to Floyd and Mable (Strauss) Bailey. He graduated from Stow High School in 1943, and Kent State. Clark joined the U.S. Army in 1943 as a radio operator during World War II in the 284th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal.

He married the love of his life Esther (Russell) on November 22, 1953. He retired from Westfield Insurance Companies in 1990 as an assistant vice president. Clark attended the Church of Stony Hill. Clark was an avid sports enthusiast. He was drafted into the Minor Leagues and played until 1950 when an injury curtailed his baseball playing career. He then turned to umpiring for 23 years, beginning on the high school level and to the college ranks to work several regionals and a World Series tournament, besides calling a number of State High School finals. He was hired by the O.H.S.A.A as a baseball rules interpreter and aided in producing the high school rules book. He did a comparative study of high school, college and pro rules that was used as a guide and study by umpires and coaches in many states besides Ohio. In 1992, Clark was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, as an umpire. In 2003, he was inducted into the Summit Umpires Association Hall of Fame. Clark also officiated high school and college football and basketball. He also loved to travel with his wife. He was treasured by his family as the most precious man in the world.

Clark will be deeply missed by his wife; children, Stephen (Kathleen) Bailey of Wadsworth, Lauren McGill of Wadsworth, Linda (Greg) Reese of New Franklin; grandchildren Erika, Courtney, Clark, Ian and Julie; stepgrandchildren, Mike, Steve and Nick; 15 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren. Clark was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Bailey.

Friends may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Hillcrest Chapel, Seville. Funeral service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Shannon Blower officiating. Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, where military rites will be held. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH 44333.