Paul Bailey

1942 - 2024

Paul M. Bailey

1942 - 2024

Our family lost our hero on September 24, 2024, due to a long illness.

Paul was born in Ogden, Utah on May 13, 1942. Paul spent 5 years in the United States Marine Corp (1963-1968) as a Helicopter Mechanic and a Door Gunner in Vietnam. A year before he left for Vietnam, he met his beautiful wife, Lynne Bailey, and they were married in 1965. Paul and Lynne have two daughters, Deborah Bailey and Lisa (Bailey) Fitchpatrick.

Paul watched Jeopardy to keep his mind sharp and if you were visiting at that time, you were invited to join. He also liked to watch church services on TV and really enjoyed the message and the music. Paul enjoyed all his daughters' activities with Deborah (4-H, and choir) and Lisa (4-H, basketball, softball, and choir) and never missed any of their events. Paul and Lynne were also very active with their grandchildren's (Paul Jr., Liz, Bryan, Adam and Miranda) school and after school activities. Paul was very talented and loved woodwork and stained glass and gifted people with his art. He also like making candy with his wife for Christmas presents. Paul and his wife were an integral part of Buellton working and volunteering in the community and walking in the yearly Alzheimer's Association fundraiser, Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Paul was affectionately known as "Grumpy" to his grandchildren of which he adored and happily helped raise these kids with their parents. Grumpy was generous to a fault and really enjoyed his great grandchildren daily. One of his great-grandchildren referred to him as her "Best Friend". Moving to Bakersfield became one of his favorite things because he spent so much time with his children, some of his grandchildren and some of his great grandchildren every day. The rest of the family came often to visit.

In 1969 Paul joined Station 31 with the Santa Barbara County fire department and 1979 was promoted to Engineer. Paul and Lynne moved their family to Buellton in 1970 after Paul's discharge from the USMC in 1968 and in 1973, they bought their family home in Thumbelina Village, Buellton. Paul was a Santa Barbara County veteran firefighter for 27 years at Station 31 and at Station 97 until his retirement in 1997.

In 1982 Paul was awarded Firefighter of the Year and the Certificate of Valor. In 1992 Paul was awarded the President's recognition of Citizen of the year by Santa Ynez Valley Optimist Club for creating a partnership between public and private sector which was the Buellton Pancake Breakfast. Paul spearheaded the pancake breakfast to kick of fire prevention week. Money raised was given to the local school elementary library. Paul took this effort up a notch further by linking it to the local YMCA.

In 2021 Paul and Lynne moved from the Santa Ynez Valley to live with their daughter Lisa in Bakersfield due to declining health. Paul lost the love of his life, Lynne in 2023, and he never was the same. Paul passed away surrounded by family and love at home.

Paul leaves behind two children (Deborah Bailey and Lisa Fitchpatrick), 5 grandchildren and 13 great grand kids. Paul was preceded in death by the love of his life (Lynne Bailey), his parents (Charles and Laura), brothers (Lorin & Charles Bailey), sisters (Laura Lee Curcie and Dorothy Mitchell) and son in law Alan Fitchpatrick.

A short grave site ceremony was held at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA 93203 on October 9th at 1 pm.

There will be a celebration of life October 26th at 1 pm. Celebration of Life will be at Lisa's Bakersfield home at 7209 Luke Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Paul's favorite foods will be served, stories and honoring our father.