James Marlo Gailey

Dad was born January 11, 1937, in Ogden Utah, at Dee Hospital and was the sixth child of Francis Gailey and Eliza Ann Dyson.

Dad met the love of his life and soulmate, Jackie Lavelle Behunin, and eloped with her to Evanston, WY on September 21, 1959, after only one date. They happily spent the next 56 years together.

He is survived by three sons and one daughter:  Steven (Helene) Gailey, Palm Desert, CA; Thomas (Norma) Gailey, La Porte, TX; Scott (Staci) Gailey, Converse, TX; and Melinda (Martin) Valerio, Sunset, UT. He is also survived by one brother and one sister: David (Betty) Gailey Riverdale, UT; and Elaine Burch, West Haven, UT. He has 12 grandchildren, two great-children and his best buddy “Crush” the cat.

Dad was preceded in death by the love of his life and soulmate; his parents; one daughter, Caroline Gailey; one brother, Frank Allen Gailey; and three sisters, Lola Gallegos, Phyllis Crawford, and Marilyn Beazer.

Dad proudly served in the United States Air Force spending most of his career in Turkey which he always considered a great experience. He once said that he learned when you are all alone, at midnight, during a windstorm, it is not a great time to start reading Dracula.

Dad worked at Hill Air Force Base for over 35 years. He began his career as a weed cutter and ended as a supervisor in the reconnaissance camera shop.

Golfing became a passion in his mid-fifties but he was an avid bowler from a young age. Dad bowled one 300 game in his life and the headline for an article in the Ogden Standard Examiner proclaimed - “Jim Gailey Perfect”, which Dad proudly (and jokingly) stated that it was about time he was acknowledged as such. Regardless of the hobby, a constant was Richard Farris, his best friend.

Dad is gone, but the lessons he taught us will live on in our hearts. Dad gave his children lots of advice, but “Just pick up the spares, the strikes will come” always held a deeper meaning to his children than just simple bowling advice.

In lieu of flowers his children would like donations to be made to the ASPCA, a charity that was near and dear to Dad.

The viewing will be held at May, 17, 2023 at 10:oo which is followed by a graveside service at 11:oo am at Aaron’s Mortuary, 1050  State Street, Clearfield, Utah.