Uncle Jim was a tall, slim man resembling Grandmother Saphrona's family, but he had the Bailey blue eyes, gray hair, a wide mouth most often expanded in a happy grin.
My first thought of Jim Bailey is laughter. He especially enjoyed jokes, fun and laughter. My initial encounter with him was at the first baseball game I attended after George and I were married. I merely knew he was George's Uncle Jim. He was sitting a few tiers above me with his good friend, Dave Swanson, as the two of them coached, razzed, discussed or cussed each play, ignoring the intense heat and dust with their fervent laughter.
Jim had no teeth showing in his expansive grin because he carried them in his pocket except when eating, but he was totally unselfconscious about this. As I have heard, he regretted the insecurity of the pocket deal when he lost his teeth once, necessitating his driving down the street looking out the window for his molars.
Jim was a sentimental person with great love for his Bailey family, treasuring their good times together. As he grew older I could see in the depth of his wistful blue eyes a regret that the past had moved by so swiftly, but I am sure he has discovered that a wonderful life together still goes on even though it may be elsewhere.