ST. MARY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: BAILEY, NOLTON ANTHONY, SR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Hargrave Funeral Home, Morgan City, La. Died Monday, June 27, 2011 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= NOTE: If a Photo is available for an obituary record, a reference note will be included with the record. ======================================================================= BAILEY, NOLTON ANTHONY, SR. September 30, 1927 - June 27, 2011 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/stmary/obits/dateobits/2011/sm1106.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== On Monday, June 27, 2011, at the age of 83, death claimed the soul of Nolton Anthony "P.T." Bailey, Sr. He was born on September 30, 1927 in Patterson. P.T. was a member of our nation's "greatest generation." He was a World War II Veteran in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, at the age of 17, he entered the Navy and served on the U.S.S. Bennington, a CV Class Aircraft Carrier. On May 2, 1948, at the age of 20, P.T. married the love of his life, the 17 year old Yvonne Margaret Thibodeaux of Morgan City, daughter of Max J. Thibodeaux Sr. and Girdy Simoneaux Thibodeaux. He was a longtime resident of Morgan City. P.T. and Yvonne's journey as man and wife lasted 63 years and 25 days. Their love and devotion to each other was one that most people only dream about. Prior to serving in the Navy, P.T. was employed in the shrimping industry. After his discharge from the service, he resumed that occupation. During the 1950s he became the co-owner of the Thibodeaux - Bailey Shrimp Boat Company with his father-in-law, Max J. Thibodeaux, Sr. During the early 1960s, P.T. was employed as a boat captain and then promoted to port captain with the Tidex Boat Company and then The Tide Water Marine Boat Company. A few years later, he became Vice- President of the Briley Marine Boat Company. When that company discontinued operation, P.T. and his son, the late Nolton Anthony "Butch" Bailey, Jr., were the co-owners of the Whitecap Marine Boat Company. After the oil and gas industry bust of the 1980s, P.T. and his son were the co-owners of Bailey's Basin Seafood. During May 1992, P.T. was named by Governor Edwin W. Edwards to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. On September 2, 1989 he was crowned the King of the 54th Annual Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. For many years he served as a board member of that organization. P.T. was a man of character, integrity, virtue and morals. He loved and cherished the joy of life. He loved his parents, his brothers Wilson, Joseph and Henry, and his sister Irma. He loved his country and its proud history. He loved the culture, traditions and family history of his Acadian ancestors. He loved the game of football as played by the L.S.U. Tigers and the Saints of New Orleans. He loved the outdoors and all it had to offer. He loved his vegetable garden. P.T. was a member of the Catholic faith and attended Mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City. He was family oriented and cherished being with his family, relatives and friends. He lived his life with a deep faith in God. Those who knew P.T. will always cherish the memory of his engaging smile, his firm handshake, his friendly manner, his sense of humor and hearty laugh, his sense of fairness, and his caring, compassionate heart. P.T. was preceded in death by his parents, the late Rudolph Joseph Bailey and Aurelia/Orealia Mary Vining Bailey; his brothers Henry and Joseph, his sister Irma; and his son, Nolton Anthony "Butch" Bailey, Jr. P.T. is survived by his wife, Yvonne Margaret Thibodeaux Bailey; their daughter, Deborah Ann "Deby" Fears and husband Neil of New Orleans, his brother Wilson Bailey and wife Betty of Patterson; his four grandchildren: Leslie Bridgewater and husband Robert of New Orleans, Summer Ann Brown and husband Adam of New York City; Shelly Suire and husband Travis of Morgan City; Jamey Perry and husband Neal of New Iberia; five great grandchildren: Sydney Bassa of Morgan City; Zachary Grizzaffi and wife Brittany of Berwick; Robert, Lee and Bailey Bridgewater of New Orleans; one great, great grandson, Jace Miles Grizzaffi of Berwick; his in-laws: Willie Z. "Dub" Noble, Sr. and Virgie Marie Thibodeaux Noble of Pensacola, Florida (formerly of Morgan City); and Max J. Thibodeaux, Jr. of Morgan City. Hargrave Funeral Home, 1031 Victor II Boulevard in Morgan City, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Pallbearers will be Neil Fears, Zachary Grizzaffi, Robert Bridgewater, Adam Brown, Neal Perry and Max J. Thibodeaux, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Willie Z. "Dub" Noble, Sr. and Willie Z. "Will" Noble, Jr. On Friday, July 1st, the wake will begin at 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, at 2100 Cedar Street, followed by a Mass and internment at the Morgan City Cemetery. ===================