abt. 1934 - 2013
U. S. Naval Officer
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CHESTER HINTON BAILEY
– 79 - U.S. Naval Officer
HAINES CITY - Chester Hinton
Bailey, a lifetime resident of Haines City, passed away on
March 31, 2013, at Good Shepherd Hospice, as a result of lung cancer.
Chet enlisted in the Navy in May 1952, after leaving Haines City High School. After completing "Boot-Camp", he went aboard the U.S.S. Cabildo as a signalman, the first of several vessels on which he served, including U.S.S. Plumas County, U.S.S. Duxbury Bay, U.S.S. Intrepid, U.S.S. Bainbridge, U.S.S. Spiegel Grove and lastly, U.S.S. Raleigh. He also served at several shore-stations as an instructor and security officer. During his career, he was promoted thru 9 enlisted ranks, 2 warrant office ranks and 3 commissioned officer ranks, retiring as a Lieutenant Deck Officer and Nuclear Weapons Safety Officer. Lieutenant Bailey served in both the Korean and Vietnam Theaters of Combat. In 1964, as a crew member of the U.S.S. Bainbridge, this ship long with the U.S.S. Enterprise, and the U.S.S. Long Beach comprised "Nuclear Task Force One" which completed a 64-day "Around-The-World" Odyssey, mimicking that of Magellan. Chester retired from the
Navy on Dec. 1, 1973. After retirement, he was employed from Jan.
4, 1974 until 1979 by the Polk County Sheriff's Depart. as a captain.
After leaving the sheriff's dept., he enrolled in Polk Community
College and graduated in 1961 with degrees in Police Science and
Criminal Justice. He then enrolled in St. Leo College at St. Leo, FL,
and received his bachelor of Arts and Criminal Justice Degrees.
After obtaining these degrees, he was employed by the State of Florida
Probation and Parole Department as a Parole & Probation officer.
He remained with this
profession until returning to retirement in 1986, where-in, he and his
best friend, Willard "Speedy" Byrd pursued the "Art" of "Bass" and
"Spec" fishing. Chester and his brother, Billy Joe, were brought to
Haines City in 1940 by his parents John Chester Bailey and Veda Oledia
Hudson Bailey. His parents worked in the citrus industry in Polk
County most of their lives.
Chester was predeceased
by his parents, his brother Jerry, his sister
Tonia and his oldest son
Roger Warren.
He is survived by brother
Billy Joe of Haines City, son John Chester of Abbeville, GA, son
Chester H., Jr., U.S.A.F. retired, daughter Sharon F. Bailey Woods,
Haines City and daughter Donna Celeste Bailey McNair of Winter Haven.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. As
per his wishes a private family service will be held at a later date at
Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, FL. The family
requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be given in his name to
Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, Florida. – Ledger, April 2,
2013
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