James "Jim" Bailey

Dr. James H. Bailey DVM, 82, of Great Falls, passed away on February 20, 2016.A celebration of life will be Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at VFW 1087, 4123 10th Ave S. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Dr. James Jim Bailey was born on October 9, 1933 in Miles City and was raised on a purebred Hereford ranch in Rosebud County. He started his formal education in a one room schoolhouse on Rosebud Creek. Four years later the enrollment was four (all cousins) and a teacher could not be hired to handle this challenging group so the school was closed and they were bused to Colstrip. He completed grade school and high school in Colstrip, graduating in 1951.Jim enrolled at Colorado A & M in the fall of 1951 in pre-veterinary courses. He was admitted to the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1953. He graduated from Colorado State University with a DVM degree in 1957. He started his veterinary career with Hayes, Wright, and Zancanella from 1957 to November of 1958. The fall of 1957, was the peak brucellosis eradication program throughout eastern Montana, where it was common practice to bleed 3000 cows a week at the Billings Stockyards. He also helped to maintain a general large animal vet practice.In November 1958, Jim bought a ranch at Dayton, Wyoming and conducted a general large practice in northern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. It was common to have c-sections, prolapses, and wire cuts crossing two states in one day. He also had up to 60 wrangling dudes as guests on the ranch, practiced veterinary medicine, and managed a ranch for four years before moving to Pampa, Texas in 1962, and opening up a veterinary practice there. He took care of beef cattle, horses, and small animals. During this period, greater emphasis was on bovine and equine reproduction, as well as race track medicine. The rapid development of feedlots in the Texas panhandle during the 1960s led to the sale of his Pampa practice. From 1970 to 1975, consultations on equine and bovine reproduction produced clientele in 21 states and Egypt.Traveling was interesting, but the urge to return to Montana led Jim to Great Falls in 1975. He joined Dr. Pat Doran and Dr. Jim Scott at Great Falls Veterinary Services until 1980. He then left Great Falls Veterinary Services, and joined with Jim Scott and Jim Steyee to form Associated Veterinary Services in Great Falls. All aspects of veterinary medicine, large and small animals, research, drugs, and product development were addressed. They were joined by Jack Neuman in 1984.Jims interests were widespread. Race track medicine and controlled medication on the race track led to continuous contact with the racing community. He was a member of the AVMA, AAEP, MVMA, and participated in local organizations to provide vital contact with veterinary professionals. He actively maintained high standards of veterinary medicine throughout the state of Montana. This led to applying and notifying state legislature and various branches of government of these standards.He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sharon Bailey of Great Falls; daughters Brenda (Phil) Duty of Whitefish and Rhonda Miller of Las Vegas; sons Pat and Tam Bailey both of Texas; sister Mary Ann (Duane) Lammers of Oregon; five grandchildren; and two great-grandhildren.Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Newton and Mary Elizabeth Bailey and brother Don Bailey.Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Animal Shelter, 1010 25th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT 59404 or a charity of the donors choice.