Robert James "Bobby" Bailey

Robert James “Bobby” Bailey, 60, of Gulfport died Tuesday, May 8, in Gulfport. Mr. Bailey was born December 19, 1946, to James Elliott “Buddy” Bailey, Jr. and his wife Billie Jean. Mr. Bailey grew up with a deep love of history. After graduation from Gulfport High School in 1965, Mr. Bailey studied at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received a bachelor of arts in history, a master of arts in American History and was a PhD candidate in history. Following graduation, Mr. Bailey joined the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in Jackson. In his over decade long tenure there, Mr. Bailey was Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Historian of the Division of Historic Sites and Archaeology, Director of Historic Preservation and Director of Archives and Library. In addition to delivering hundreds of historical lectures and speeches, Mr. Bailey authored an impressive collection of historical books and articles that were featured in state and national publications. Mr. Bailey was currently employed as a state historical preservation specialist with FEMA. Mr. Bailey’s other great loves were family, friends and sailing. Mr. Bailey was actively involved in the Gulfport Yacht Club, where his contribution to the club’s rich sailing tradition will forever be remembered. Mr. Bailey served as Commodore of the Gulfport Yacht Club in 1991 and as the first Commodore of the Mississippi Coast Yachting Association. One of his proudest honors was his selection as the1999 Commodore of the Gulf Yachting Association, where he was one of the youngest commodores to ever serve the Gulf South’s leadership body of 32 yacht clubs across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas. Known as a sailing mentor and expert race management teacher, Mr. Bailey was one of only a handful of U.S. Sailing Association senior race officers. His race management skill earned him the prestigious National Excellence in Race Management trophy in 1993. Mr. Bailey is survived by his twin sister, Barbara Bailey Garner and her husband Jimmy Garner of Gulfport, his daughter Angie Cockerill, and her husband Roger, his grandchildren, Alex and Abby Cockerill, all of Brandon, and his niece, Amy Covington Hopkins and her husband John of Gulfport. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Bradford O’Keefe, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. Services will be at noon Friday, May 11, 2006 at First United Methodist Church, Gulfport where friends may visit from 11 a.m. until the service. The family prefers memorials to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25TH Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501or the charity of your choice. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com