CALVIN — John Bailey, 58, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at his home.

Born at Beverly on January 27, 1950, he was the son of the late Fannie Bailey Asher and D.S. Napier. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in the Vietnam War and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Expert Weapon Badge (M-16). He was a graduate of Red Bird High School, where he played basketball, and was selected by the KHSAA for Honorable Mention and All State in 1968.

He was a former foreman with MAC Corporation in Indianapolis, Ind. After returning to Kentucky, he worked for Kentucky-Harlan Coal Company until an injury rendered him disabled. He loved the Kentucky Wildcats and continued to follow his Alma mater, The Red Bird Cardinals. He was an avid gardener, who loved to share his harvest with neighbors and friends. He also loved to fish and spend time outdoors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Will and Minnie Bailey; brothers, Orville Asher and James Asher; and sister-in-law, Gayle Asher.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Jessica Bailey of Speedwell; granddaughter, Kathryn Paige Bailey; sister, Sarah Hobbs and husband, David of Wallins; brothers and their wives, Steve and Linda Ann Asher of Corbin, Malcolm and Tonya Asher of Roark, Earl and Donna Asher Lee of Raywick, and Odie and Wanda Carroll of Molus; special aunt and uncle, Sarah and Otis Carroll; special cousins, Charlotte and Ed Hatmaker, Glinda and Bob Bondarek, and Greg and Lara Head; great-aunt, Fannie Bailey, and long time companion, Carol Houston; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Teddy Collett and the Rev. Scott Woodworth presiding. Music will be by Dorothy Eldridge.

Burial will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Phillips Fork Cemetery at Phillips Fork. Military Honors will be presented by the Leslie County Honor Guard. allbearers will be Dwight Brock, Dwayne Brock, Porter Morgan, Bruce Slusher, Darrell Slusher, Edgar Dean Asher and Jim Bob Asher.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Saturday at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, Pineville. Guestbook at www.arnettsteele.com.