John "Jack" Bailey

August 28, 1925 - January 6, 2017

John passed away surrounded by loving family and friends. His wife of 37 years, Barbara, chose to lie down by his side and hold him in her arms as he peacefully made his transition. John and Barbara A. Nace were married in 1980 in Pleasanton, California. Their love for one another was beautifully mirrored in this final gift of companionship. Jack was born August 28, 1925, in Cedaredge, Colorado, a VERY small town which has grown considerably since then, and now boasts about 2,000 residents. His parents were Neil and Margaret, and they were known to their children as Neil and Margaret. Jack was the oldest of 4 with Mary Catherine following him in 1930, Richard Neil in 1932 and many years later Ann Elizabeth in 1944. As a matter of fact, Jack did not see Ann until he came home on leave about 1 ½ years later. Jack graduated from Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady in 1943. He immediately registered for the Marine Corps. He was originally denied entrance until a problem with his eyes cleared up. After serving stateside for a while, Jack participated in the Marine invasion of Okinawa. His family thought he would never come home and were always expecting “that knock” on the door with the official notice on the other side. It never came, but Jack came home in 1946. He started his official schooling in 1946 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Mechanical Engineer. He graduated from RPI in 1950. A story is told about a Calculus class that absolutely bored him to death. So he and some of his classmates learned how to say “Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute” backward to pass the time. Jack was awarded his Masters of Mechanical Engineering (MME) in 1951. Jobs with many companies followed. Also taking after his parents, he moved his growing family from one side of the U.S. to the other for the jobs. During all this moving he got married and fathered 3 children. Bill in 1953, Meg in 1955, and Bruce in 1960. He taught classes at both Santa Clara University, and at San Jose State. Jack met Barbara in 1974 when he offered her an ice cream cone, and she sold him a house. At the time, Jack was living in California, working for a very small company, and Barbara was a New Jersey realtor. Jack was also president of the San Francisco chapter of the ASME. Their cross-country romance wasn’t working, so Barbara moved to California. Jack and Barbara were married in 1980, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill. A few years thereafter, Jack began working with Barbara in her real estate profession. The couple moved to Crow Canyon Country Club in 2001, after many years in Lafayette. Jack was well-loved in the real estate world, making friends wherever he went. He could talk to anyone and make them feel special and important. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Jack is survived by his wife, Barbara, his son Bill and daughter Meg; his step-children Susan Schmidt (Anders), Rick, and David Nace; his brother, Richard, and sisters Mary Catherine and Ann Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, February 26th at 1:30 pm, at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Pleasanton. A reception will follow with most of Jack's favorite foods! Please join us in honoring this wonderful man.