Army historical photos of Fairel from www.29infantrydivision.org/WWII-Pictures/110th-Field-Artillery-Battalion-Bailey-Fairel
Fairel Bailey, 90, passed away May 28, 2015 at the Thompson Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky.
He was born in Barn Rock, Kentucky on August 1, 1924 to Charley and Plura (Fyffe) Bailey. He graduated from Flat Gap High School in 1943 and shortly thereafter was drafted into service for WWII. Landing on the beaches of Normandy, France in June 1944, Fairel served throughout the European campaign as a gunman on the 105 mm howitzer in the 110th FA, Battery B, a division of the 29th Infantry.
After the war, Fairel decided to use his GI Bill and graduated from the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture in August 1948. From college he headed to his first teaching job at Frenchburg High School in Frenchburg, Kentucky. He taught there from August 1948 to July 1953. During his first year there, he met and married Joyce (Mack) McGlothen on December 23, 1948.
During the next several years, Fairel and Joyce had two children, Vicki (Hank Lindsey) (1951) and Charles "Barry" (1952). Fairel continued in Vocational Agriculture as his teaching jobs took him from Frenchburg and Paintsville, Kentucky to Circleville Ohio and finally to Simon Kenton High School (now East Clinton) in Lees Creek.
Fairel was at East Clinton for over 22 years, teaching both biology and Vocational Agriculture. His VoAg students won many awards, including 48 State Farmers, two American Farmers, two State Officers, and one National Officer.
Fairel was a member of the Sabina Methodist Church and lived in the Sabina/Reeseville area for over 20 years.
Upon his retirement in 1978 , he built a home in Frenchburg, Kentucky and spent a significant amount of time fishing on Cave Run Lake.
In 1990 he left Menifee County and moved to Winchester, Kentucky to live with his son.
In 2012, Fairel received the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service during WWII. It is the highest service medal awarded by the French government. He was also a member of the Flat Gap Masons and celebrated receiving his 65-year pin in 2014.
Sandra Brown Wattenberger of NicholasvilleJune 02, 2015
To the family and friends of Mr. Fairel Bailey, my deepest condolences. Fairel remained a legend in Johnson County for decades after he left the area and was fondly remembered by my father, himself a WWII vet. His brother Con was one of my teachers at Flat Gap School. As my parents might have said, "We will not see his like again."
Charlie Smith of Tipp City, Ohio May 29, 2015
Mr. Bailey was always one of my favorite teachers! I was in the class of 1962 at Simon Kenton and we had a lot of fun in vo-ag while learning a lot from Mr. Bailey in spite of our youth and irresponsibility. I am so glad Mr. Bailey was able to attend our 50th HS reunion in the summer of 2012 and celebrate with us.
To the family and friends of Mr. Fairel Bailey, my deepest condolences. Fairel remained a legend in Johnson County for decades after he left the area and was fondly remembered by my father, himself a WWII vet. His brother Con was one of my teachers at Flat Gap School. As my parents might have said, "We will not see his like again."
Charlie Smith of Tipp City, Ohio May 29, 2015
Mr. Bailey was always one of my favorite teachers! I was in the class of 1962 at Simon Kenton and we had a lot of fun in vo-ag while learning a lot from Mr. Bailey in spite of our youth and irresponsibility. I am so glad Mr. Bailey was able to attend our 50th HS reunion in the summer of 2012 and celebrate with us.