James David Bails

May 18, 2018

Service Details

James David Bails, 72, passed away May 18, 2018. Visitation will be Friday evening, May 25, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines and the funeral service on Saturday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. at The Mission Church, 12001 Ridgemont Dr. in Urbandale, IA.

Jim was born March 7, 1946 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Barbara and John Bails. He enjoyed a carefree life growing up in the small town of Stanwood, IA. Jim enjoyed roaming the town with his friends, playing baseball with his brothers, and helping his mother in the garden. He was active with the baseball program in high school keeping the stats and graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1964. After graduation Jim worked in the construction industry before moving to Burlington, IA to work for IRC. In Burlington he met Rosalind Hunter and the couple married on June 29, 1969 at a little church in Kingston, IA. They moved to Waukee in the late 70’s when Jim took a job with Kaser Corporation/Martin Marietta from which he retired in 2015.

Jim said retirement was the best job he ever had! He and Rosalind enjoyed traveling to Lake Superior, collecting agate stones and rocks, and often took their grandchildren along with them. Jim enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, photography, gardening, and genealogy. He was also a 40 year member of The Mission Church (formerly First Federated) and taught Sunday School for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalind Bails; children, Melinda (Dan) Kiernan and Matthew Bails; grandchildren, Megan and Colin Kiernan; and his siblings, Mary Ellen Knupp, Bob Bails, John (Karen) Bails, Don (Diane) Bails, Linda Nemecek, Bill (Kathy) Bails, Nancy (L.A.) Forrest, Margaret Bails-Downs, Betty (Don) Conkel, Richard Bails, June (Loren) Walshire, Chuck (Laurie) Bails, and Paul (Pam) Bails. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sarah Menzer and Susan Voss; and nieces, Karen Hildebrand and Marcia Krenz.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print