John Phillip Bayless

John Phillip Bayless, 83, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away on February 15, 2023, at Agape Hospice Home. He was born on March 19, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, to John Harold Bayless, and Lila King Bayless. He married Juanita Barr on August 25, 1962; she preceded him in death in December 2010.
John graduated from Mooseheart High School near Aurora, Illinois in 1957. He served in the United States Army for three years and then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Montana in 1966. After graduation, John enjoyed a professional career in sales, working for several electronics manufacturing companies.
John's early childhood years were spent in Columbus, Indiana, where he returned after his retirement. He was a huge Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, a DIY handyman, loved the history of the American West, geography, and traveling throughout the United States.
John is survived by his daughter, Heather (Garrett) Bowling, of South Carolina, and his son, John (Beth) Bayless, of Illinois; his grandchildren, Morgan (Jeremy) Dubose, Matthew Bowling, and Nathan Bowling of South Carolina, Katherine Bayless, and Brooke Bayless of Illinois; brother, M. Thomas (Rose) Bayless, of Illinois
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lila Bayless, and his wife, Juanita Bayless.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, with Military Honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Public visitation will be from 9 AM to 11 AM on the day of the service. A private entombment will follow at the Garland Brook Mausoleum.