I was one of the Mc Murry Basketball players that had the privilege of knowing Jim (Bingo).  Him having a nickname was a reaction to all the nicknames he gave.  It seemed he gave everyone on the team one.  He gave me the nickname Gompers and I carry it with me till today.  I don't know where it came from or what it meant and when asked later in life neither did Jim, but it became endearing.  He was always pleasant, and friendly in addition to a tough competitor.  My prayers go out to his family and friends.  God tells us he will not leave us comfortless, but that He will come to us in our times of difficulty and loss.  Jesus, remember us as we remember Jim our friend and colleague.

Jim had such a magnetic personality.  He was always smiling and in a good mood.  I taught across the hall from him for many years, and I saw how the students loved going into his class and how welcoming he was to them. I, as well as other teachers, loved getting an invite to bring our class to see one of the performances his class put on.  Students loved that too.  Jim loved music and would incorporate it into the performances.  I know I began to listen to Bonnie Raitt after he’d play her music in class. He loved Delbert McClinton too and would go see him perform whenever he could. You could just tell that Jim enjoyed life. We all should be like that.  I’m so glad I was able to call him my friend.  

I knew Jim through a camping group we started in the early 80s. We played a lot of volleyball in the early years and Jim was, how shall I say it… enthusiastic. He always stopped and got us Elgin sausage on the way. He loved talking about his teaching almost as much as he liked talking about Buck. I am honored to have been his friend and miss him. Buck, you have a great Dad.

Jim is certainly at the great volleyball (or basketball) court with a big grin on his face and inviting us along.

Hootie hoo, James Bailey!

Jim was my basketball teammate for three years at McMurry University in the early 70's.  We called him "Bingo", who knows why after all these years.  Perhaps it was in response to all the nicknames he gave us.  When he first arrived on campus, from McDonald, Ohio, he strutted around with a large blonde afro smiling broadly with a gapped tooth and acting like he owned the world.  Us Texans didn't know what to make of this guy.  We soon found out he was one-of-a-kind.  To be around Jim was to love him.  He never met a stranger and made you feel as though you mattered.  Honestly, there was never a time he was down.  He'd huff and puff when upset, but that lasted a short time and then Bingo was back.  I was "nubbed" when he returned from summer break one year.  He shook my hand and then showed his missing finger.  Quite the shock.  Yet, he could still shoot the basketball incredibly well.  He had a car called the "Dragon Wagon" and its windshield squirters must have been on steroids.  We'd come to a stop light and Jim would turn them on and they'd shoot back over the length of his car and spray the windshield of the car behind us.  They never knew where it came from.  My lasting memory of Jim "Bingo" Bailey was his upbeat personality ... greatest I've ever been around.  I loved "Bingo" as did many others.  Thankful to God he was a part of my life even though it was a short time.   Miss you brother!

McMurry College Basketball INDIAN Alumni

Fly High Brave Warrior!

You will be missed!

The McMurry Indian NATION has recently sent a beloved warrior to his heavenly resting place. His earthly deeds and service, both in the athletic arena as well as his daily life will NOT be forgotten, and He will be dearly missed.

Today as we say a fond farewell to our fellow Indian Jim “Bingo” Bailey.

May your heavenly journey begin an eternal life of celebration with loved ones who have proceeded you and may you shine your grace down upon each of us.

As the warriors that are left behind, may we support the grieving loved ones with our prayers and our bodily support to help them endure these very difficult times.

Alma Mater

Hail to our dear McMurry!

Long wave Maroon and White!

Pride of our Western prairies,

Spirit of Honor, Truth and Right!

We cherish your traditions.

Ever true we’ll be.

Your Hall of Fame is in our hearts!

All Hail to Thee!

Ala Cumba 

What a loss-This man was the joy of all junior high students-happy go lucky almost everyday I can remember. He will be missed in this world. 

So sorry for your loss Buck, my prayers are with you and your family. God bless!

We are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, Buck. “Summer didn’t start in McDonald until Bailey came to town. “

I remember Coach Bailey fondly. May he RIP. 

Rest in peace, coach.

He was my HS basketball coach and health teacher and his sense of humor and pithy ways of communicating still resonates many years later. “The lymph nodes are the car wash of the body!” And, “You been nubbed!” Said after shaking your hand and coming in contact with his missing finger and seeing your surprised face.

The world is a slightly smaller place without you, sir. To his family and close friends, my condolences. May his memory be a blessing 🙏

Rest in peace my dear friend, everyone who knew you loved you, and I'm glad I got to know you 

When I was in FFA in Bastrop I was walking my Steer down FM 812 when coach Baily drove by with Buck and stopped me and Buck looked at me and said " sir that's the biggest dog I've ever seen ". The coach looked at each other and laughed out loud and he tells Buck " son that a cow not a dog"    This I will never forget. 

This is just one story that I have about the coachs greatness.

I will surely miss this man. 

For 4 years through High school. The sound of cowboy boots on concrete floors, loud often off key singing in the hallways was a sign of coach Bailey coming through the halls. Greeting anybody and everybody in the hall with a big ol smile. He coached us in football and he did very well. He had great stories, some funny, some serious, both would teach U something about life, or yourself.  He must've had 20 stories about the half finger, each crazier than the next. He also taught me, to laugh and smile even when things around U are coming apart, because getting angry and fighting won't solve everything. There was nothing he loved more than his son Buckey. My condolences to him. U had a great dad. Rest easy coach Jim Bailey. 

Coach Bailey taught me through middle school, he was my theatre arts teacher. I learned so much from him! His love of life inspired me more than I could ever put into words. He was always excited to teach and I never saw him have a bad day. I’m a teacher now and I aspire to be like him daily and make my students feel the way he made me feel. He will live on in all of us and I’m a better person for knowing this amazing man! My heart goes out to his son, who I grew up with and was the apple of Coach’s eye,  and his family ♥️

My sincerest condolences to Buck and the rest of Coach B's family! He was one of my favorites, I had fun in speech class with him always debating anything and everything. He ALWAYS had different ridiculous stories if you asked what happened to his hand too. I think my favorite was how a piranha got a hold of him at an aquarium.  He always pushed and encouraged me when he saw me after school at track practice. I remember once he was the first coach there to help me immediately as I crossed the finish line at a track meet because he saw something was seriously wrong, I couldn't walk so he carried me to the trainers tent to get me looked over. He for sure was one of the good ones who cared about his students and athletes and he will truly be missed! 

My favorite memory of Coach Bailey was in junior high. He was pitching us softballs and singing The Talking Heads, just smiling, “… This ain't no party, this ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around…”. Condolences to his loved ones.  

I knew him when he first came to teach.  I was new as well.  He was so nice and made you feel welcomed.  He was always positive and that is what I do everyday.  I look for the positive in everything.  He always had a smile for everyone.  I remember how he talked about his son and how he was doing.  He loved his son and his wife very much.  I am so happy he is reunited with his wife. He loved her dearly. He also taught my sons as well