Ralph Thomas Bailes

Ralph Thomas Bailes of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away December 14, 2023, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 93. He was born November 3, 1930, in El Dorado, Arkansas the son of Henry Levi and Letha Idell Fitzgerald Bailes. He married Lola Mae Drake on September 10, 1951, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Ralph had a 23 year military career, six years in the Air Force and seventeen years in the US Navy. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War in which he flew 240 combat missions. He served on three aircraft carriers, USS Ranger, USS Oriskany, and the USS Coral Sea. Ralph lived in Mountain Home since moving from El Dorado, Arkansas in 1991. He was a member of the East Side Baptist Church.

Ralph is survived by his son, Michael (Cheryl) Bailes of Kingsland, GA; two daughters, Kathy (Gene)Swanson of Clifton, TX and Sandy (James) Hostetler of Castle Pines, CO; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, HL Bailes; daughter Diane Dumas; grandson Michael Smith.

Burial is private at Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks, 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com .