Arthur “Buddy” Raymond Bailey, Jr. of Crystal River, FL passed away at Sunshine Gardens Assisted Living on September 24, 2020 at the age of 75. Arthur was born to the late Anna (Hansen) Hamilton and Arthur Raymond Bailey, Sr. in Baileyville, ME on February 2, 1945. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army and was a highly decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War and a Purple Heart recipient. Arthur was living in Canada at the time of the Vietnam conflict and came back to the United States for the sole purpose of enlisting in the Army and fighting for his country. A very brave act on his part considering so many were trying to avoid military service during this tumultuous time in our history. Prior to making Crystal River, FL his home 4½ years ago, Arthur was living in Las Vegas, NV. Previous to that, he had resided in Hawaii, a place he truly loved. The years he spent there were the most vibrant and healthy years of his life. He was known to be an adventurous man. Arthur was a skydiving enthusiast with over 1200 jumps in his lifetime. He also had a black belt and was an instructor of Taekwondo and an avid runner. Arthur was an inspiration to many and had written a book called “Only to Live Again” that was published in 2013. The book details his battle with addiction and the road back to his recovery. He was a man greatly cherished by his family and will be greatly missed.
Those left to mourn Arthur’s passing include his daughter, Cheri Thomas and her husband Chad of Rochester, IN; sisters: Constance Thompson of Myrtle Beach, SC, Marilyn Williams of Crystal River, FL, Barbara Caspersen of Hamilton, Ontario Canada; grandchildren: Ava Thomas and Luke Thomas; and several nieces and nephews including his caregivers Jan Taber and her husband Mark of Crystal River, FL. Arthur was preceded in death by his grandson, Jude Thomas and his sister, Margaret Loose.
Arthur’s family will lay his urn to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date. Cremation care by the Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL.
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