Hubert Layne Bailey

With heavy hearts the family of Hubert “Layne” Bailey announce his passing.  Layne passed unexpectedly on Thursday, July 3rd due to complications from a medical procedure.  He was 85 years of age.

Layne was born in Salyersville, KY to Chester and Marie Bailey on February 15, 1940.  When he was 2 years old the family moved to Marion in search of greater opportunities and a better life.  Layne grew up in Marion “on the other side of the tracks” as he referred to the west side of town.   He was proud of growing up there and often shared fond memories of growing up on the west end. 

Layne was a daring and adventurous boy.   He loved to explore and learn about nature and the world around him, often spending hours swimming in the quarry and exploring what he deemed as his own “wilderness” at the edge of town.   As an older child he spent the summers working on local farms bailing hay, setting fence posts and tending to the barnyard animals. 

Layne graduated from Marion Harding Highschool in 1958.  He attended The Ohio State University.  He also enlisted and served honorably in The United States Army Reserve from 1959-1963.  In 1960 Layne took a job with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and became a lifelong railroader.  He loved working for the railroad and soon his work took him away from Marion.  Layne worked in Baltimore, MD during the days of the civil rights movement and the intensity of political and civil unrest.

Perhaps it was during his time in Baltimore, or while growing up on the west side of Marion that Layne developed an admirable and unbiased view of people from all walks of life, races, colors and creeds.  Throughout his life he believed in and valued equality; loved without prejudice and was truly color blind. 

After Layne returned from Baltimore he continued his work on the railroad in Marion at Union Station.  He also trained as a railroad operator and dispatcher and spent the next forty years working those essential jobs. Notably, Layne was the last station agent at Marion Union Station and closed the building after the final passenger train pulled away in 1971.

It was that same year that Layne met the love of his life, Mary.  Together they raised five children.  The two spent thirty-two years of love and laughter until Mary’s untimely death in 2003.  During the months of her illness Layne personally tended to his wife and provided his gentle, compassionate care until the very end.  His nurturing tender spirit was evident to anyone who knew Layne.

When Layne had time away from work and personal commitments he loved spending time with his family.  He enjoyed the outdoors and in his younger years regularly went hunting and fishing with his children.  He enjoyed going to the rifle range and was an avid poker player who was the proud winner of several tournaments. He traveled regularly and went on family road trips from coast to coast.  He also took many cruises, making wonderful memories with his family. 

Layne was flirtatious and fun loving.  A soft-spoken man with a steady presence to which others were drawn.  He was thoughtful and always chose his words carefully.  He was mindful of others and never made a decision in haste.  His signature dry sense of humor was well known and appreciated by family and friends.  He was a great storyteller and oftentimes entertained those around him with stories from his past adventures.  A skilled carpenter, Layne, never shied away from a new home improvement project.  He loved to read books of any kind, but his favorite were stories about the Old West.  He loved poetry and memorized many of his favorites, often writing them in his notebook as a therapeutic way to pass the time. 

In 2018 Layne suffered a deep brain stroke of severity that few survive.  Miraculously, Layne awoke from the stroke and returned to his home after less than a month in the hospital.  In the years following Layne continued to push onward with quiet courage. He never complained nor gave up despite the challenges he faced by the stroke and worsening dementia.  He spent many of his days listening to music.  Gospel, bluegrass and classic country music were his favorites.  He enjoyed and found comfort in being with his family and caregivers.  He made frequent trips to Dairy Queen for his favorite strawberry milkshakes.  He also continued to enjoy exercise and did so by walking, lifting his dumbbells and riding his stationary bike until the end.

Layne was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Marie Bailey; his wife, Mary Bailey; infant daughter Kimberly; son Scott Hall; brother, Lewis Bailey; sisters Helen Patterson and Joyce Lorenzetti.  He is survived by his children Timothy, Stacey, Kaalem (Ricky) and Amy.  Several grandchildren and great grandchildren including Alex,  Kezia and Kanan Bailey, who visited him often.  His sister Gloria Jean (Tim) Thornburg; brother-in-law Ole Lorenzetti; many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his loyal caregivers and friends Chris, Doug, Bruce, Mark, Dave and Landon.  The caring professionals at Kingston also provided Layne excellent care.  The family is deeply grateful to everyone who cared for Layne through his later years. 

Layne was a tough man with a gentle and generous heart.  By most accounts he lived an ordinary life, but he was truly an extraordinary man.

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