On June 27, 2011, Darrell Bailes passed away in his home in Carnation, WA, surrounded by his loving family, after a ten month battle with cancer.
Darrell was born in Seattle, WA on April 15, 1950. He grew up on a small family farm in the Redmond-Fall City area with his parents and two brothers. Darrell was a kind brother who always took good care of his younger brother. Throughout his childhood, Darrell enjoyed spending time at the swimming hole, playing baseball, and hunting and fishing with his dad.
Being the hard worker that he always was, Darrell also began helping with the family printing business at the age of 8. Darrell attended Mt. Si High School and then transferred to Redmond High School where he graduated in 1968.
After graduating, Darrell began his formal career in the printing industry, working at Ridgeway Carton Company in Seattle for a number of years, followed by Trade Products in Lynnwood for 30 years, and finishing at Liberty Mutual in Redmond. He was an accomplished Lithography Manager who would never expect any of the individuals who reported to him to do anything he wasn’t willing to do himself. He was a fair, honest, and straight-forward man, and these qualities were reflected in all aspects of his life.
It was Redmond High School where Darrell met the love of his life, Connie Quinn. The couple married in August of 1969, just shortly after Connie graduated. Darrell was 19 years old and Connie just 18 years old. The couple resided in Kirkland the first few years of their marriage, joyfully welcoming the birth of a son, Jon Bailes, in August of 1971, and a daughter, Lisa Bailes, in July of 1974.
In 1979 the couple built a home together, with the help of their family and friends, on 2 acres of land they had purchased in Carnation, WA. This is the home where they raised their family and have continued to reside ever since. It has been said by many people over the years that Darrell and Connie were like newlyweds their entire lives, serving as wonderful role-models to all who aspired to have a lasting, loving, and happy marriage.
Darrell was a true family man who worked hard every day to provide a stable, loving home for his family, and to take an active role in his children’s lives. Darrell enjoyed coaching baseball when his children were young, and was a positive and memorable influence on many youth in the Carnation-Duvall area.
Darrell was an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life, and was adamant about gun safety. He was a responsible hunter who respected the weapons as well as the wildlife. Some of his happiest moments were spent hunting in the NE corner of Washington State, out in the middle of nowhere. This is where Darrell found great peace and savored many happy memories with friends and family.
Darrell also enjoyed spending time on the family’s property in Sunland, Washington, where he taught his children and grandchildren how to drive a boat and water-ski on the Columbia River. This was also the site of many fond memories for Darrell. Darrell was beloved by all and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Bailes; his son, Jon Bailes; his daughter, Lisa Kenyon; his daughter-in-law Becky Bailes; his son-in-law Shawn Kenyon; his grandchildren Katie Bailes, Shaun Bailes, Riley Kenyon, and Jon Kenyon; and his brothers Stephen Bailes and Richard Zackrison.
A memorial service will be held July 16, 2011 at 2:30 pm at the Sno-Valley Senior Center, located at 4610 Stephens Ave, Carnation, WA. The family invites all of Darrell’s family and friends to come and celebrate his life with them, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by calling 1-800-225-5355 or online at WWW.RMEF.ORG (click on “Donate Now”).
The family encourages you to post condolences and share happy memories of Darrell here on this site.