Luther W. Bailey

On Friday, June 26, 2009, Luther (Bud) Bailey passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at Regina Medical Center in Hastings, Minnesota. Bud was devoted to his family and friends, and a passionate sportsman. The outdoors was his sanctuary, and he spent countless hours on the prairies of Kansas, woods of Missouri, and waters of Bull Schoals Lake. He was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. Most recently, he resided in Hastings, Minnesota. During WWII, he served on Iwo Jima. After the war, he worked for Boeing as an aircraft mechanic; on Project Redball to dispatch helicopter parts during the Vietnam War; and for the US Government as an operations manager at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant.He is survived by his wife Betty (Culton) Bailey; his four children Michael (Sheila) Bailey, Kathleen (James) Carlson, Karen (Kenneth) Harrington of Hastings, and Linda Bailey; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brothers Robert, Bill, and Benjamin (David); his sisters Norma (Al) Goswick and Mary (Tom) Johnson; and many beloved nieces and nephews. During the last three years of his life, Bud was assisted by the staff of Home Instead Home Care, including aides Sharon, Sandy, Linda, Patti, Chris, Terry, Nan, Amy, Loni, Kathy, Arien, and others. Their dedication and sense of humor helped assure that each day of Bud�s past several years were filled with love and laughter in spite of the health challenges he faced. His many visits from Steve Poncin, a volunteer and friend from the United Methodist Church, provided welcome companionship and a spiritual touchstone. Services were held at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri, on July 1, 2009. Local arrangements were handled by the Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home of Hastings. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or Ducks Unlimited.