John Baily, son of Edris Roudybush Baily and John Robert Baily passed away on February 4, 2024. at the age of 80. He grew up in Beverly Morgan Park. John was not a junior as many believed; his middle name, Roudybush, from his mother connected him to family heritage in Iroquois County, IL.
John graduated from Morgan Park High School, attended Culver Academy, The Citadel and graduated from Northwestern University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and saw duty in Viet Nam and other Pacific locations and was later in the Marine Reserves. He was a competitive marksman both for his schools and for the Marine Corps.
During his career his talents were sought for his computer skills beginning in the days of DOS (early computer disc operating system) and he was occasionally called back to active duty to solve technical problems for the military in the United States. These skills were later employed by FMC Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield. But he found his calling in construction management, building affordable housing on Chicago’s west side, working with a volunteer group that put “ tiny houses” on vacant land for homeless people, and building or renovating homes in Chicago. Finally he ran a factory in Milwaukee for Universal Housing Systems creating manufactured houses and consulting for architects and contractors in Chicago. He even built Burger King restaurants.
After retirement he returned to live where he grew up and could often be seen riding his bicycle through the neighborhood. Following an earlier interest in cooking, he loved the kitchen at Trinity United Methodist Church where he baked bread and made healthy soup weekly which he distributed to those who stopped by and to a circle of friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his sister Edris Baily Hoover (husband Steve) his niece Edris Hoover-Hinman (husband Carl) and great niece Cora Hoover- Wyant who live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 9848 S. Winchester Ave., Chicago, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 followed by soup, bread and social gathering. Private burial will take place in Iroquois county. Arrangements entrusted to Donnellan Funeral Home.