Jesse L. Bailey

On the morning of August 29th, surrounded by love at home, Jesse L. Bailey, 55, laid down his sword in his fierce 3+ year battle with a rare form of NET Cancer. From the start, he said he would fight til his last breath, and he kept his word.

Jesse led a life of service, seen and unseen. He enlisted in the Marine Corp upon graduation from high school. He was assigned to Barracks 8th & I, in DC where he proudly served in the Presidential Guard under President Reagan and at the Embassies in London & Kenya. He was an investigator with the Arapahoe County, CO District Attorney's office. Later, he would find himself to be a truck driver, in Brooklyn on September 11, 2001. He watched with anger as the towers fell. He immediately knew what was happening. His employer was a FEMA contractor and while stuck on the island, he called his dispatch and told them… 'I want to help'. And he did. For the next 6 weeks, he would drive, haul, help set up temporary morgues, whatever they asked. This sacrifice was the reason he developed the rare cancer that would reveal itself 17years later. Like many others, he is one of the sacrifices we are still making to that tragic event. Upon his return to Monroe County, he joined the local Volunteer Fire Company, Marshalls Creek, and there he found what he considered to be his life calling. He formed lasting friendships, loved serving his community. His greatest source of joy and pride was in teaching and mentoring. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant before relocating to Berks County with his family. He joined other companies in Berks but could not find his fit. Jesse's heart never left Marshall's Creek or the fire service. He left a legacy in those he taught. His drive to help people, never quit. He was an undercover angel to many. Always there for someone in need.

Jesse was born in Florida to Carmen and Jack Bailey, as one of five children. He is survived by a brother, Christopher of North Carolina. He is preceded in death by his Father, his sister Bronda and two brothers, Jonathan and Michael.

He is held in loving remembrance by his family. His partner in life, Kimberly, and his two sons, Aidan Bailey, at home, and Alexander Bobst, his fiancé Jessica Delp and their son, Keegan. He had a special love and care for his extended family and friends. Especially, Jeff & Shane whose acts of friendship meant the world to him in the last couple years.

Special thanks & appreciation to UPenn, Dr. Eads, Perleman Cancer Center for helping us get more time, and to Tower Health Hospice for their support and care of both of us this last month.

Jesse did not want a sad funeral. He wanted a celebration of his love, his life and his friends and family. We will be organizing and announcing that in the coming weeks.

We ask that you honor Jesse by doing what he did - be kind, be helpful, wherever you can. Volunteer your time, contribute, take a moment to ask someone if they are ok. He first thing Jesse would say to someone who needed a friend was, 'What can I do?'. If you feel called to do something in his memory, we ask that a donation be made to the place that meant the most to him: Marshalls Creek Fire Co, 112 Marshalls Creek Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302. Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, 5153 Kutztown Rd., Temple, PA 19560 is entrusted with Jesse's arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.