Richard A. Bailey, 83, passed away on August 30, 2015 in Memphis, TN. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 1 and service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 2 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Richard was born on December 18, 1931 in Cape Girardeau, MO to the late Albert and Clara Bailey and grew up in Chaffee, MO. He served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955 with his most significant duty assignment being Patrol Squadron Nine (VP-9). While serving in the Korean War he received these medals: National Defense Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; and Korean Presidential Unit Citation. After serving in the military he attended Arkansas State University receiving his BA in Journalism. He started his newspaper career in Pine Bluff, AR where he met his future wife Gloria, who preceded him in death in 1981. After marrying, they moved to Memphis and he worked for the Press Scimitar/Commercial Appeal. He started off as a reporter and ran the Plant to Prosper Program for several years. From there he went to the copy desk where he worked as a copy editor. He retired after 35 years. He remained an editor at heart reading newspapers on line and still trying to find "misteaks" of others. He enjoyed travel, music and crossword puzzles. He and his longtime girlfriend, Faye, took many trips together and enjoyed making each other laugh. Mr. Bailey is survived by his son, Richard; daughter, Melinda (Bruce); sister, Muriel; grandchildren, Amanda, Clara; nieces, Beth (Steve), Kris (Phil), Cheryl; and a nephew, Jimmy (Kathy). He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Page Robbins Adult Day Center, 1961 S. Houston Levee Rd., Collierville, TN, 38017 or donor''s choice.

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