Thomas Maxwell Bailes

       Thomas Maxwell Bailes 92, of Summersville, WV passed away Friday, November 12, 2021.  He was born December 1, 1928 at Gad, WV to the late Guy and Clare Bailes.

        He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Lillian Johnson Bailes, one son Tommy Bailes Jr., grandson Phillip J. Meadows, grand-daughter Amber Lee Bailes, 4 Brothers Gale, Eugene, Elsworth, Ennis and sister Emogene.

        Survivors include daughters, Mary Lou Meadows (Ralph) of Canvas and Joyce Hoover (Bill) of Summersville, Sons Michael Bailes of Daytona Beach FL and Walter Bailes (Missy) of Summersville and Daughter-in-law Millie Bailes of Summersville.  12 Grandchildren, 24 Great-grandchildren, and 1 Great-Great grandchild.  He is also survived by Brother-in-law Darrell Johnson of Craigsville and long-time friend and hunting buddy Bruce Tallamy.

        He graduated from Nicholas County High School in 1948 and served in the US Army during the Korean War.  Later he founded Thomas Bailes Contracting & Coal Companies.   He loved the great outdoors and was considered a big game hunter that has traveled all over the United States hunting turkey, deer and bear in WV and VA to Elk, Caribou, Moose and Bighorn sheep in Colorado to Grizzly bear in Alaska and Black bear in Maine, to Alligator and wild boar in Florida to Mt. Lion in Canada and Lion, Ostrich, Water Buffalo and other wild animals in Africa.

        He was a hard worker that provided for his family and is known for his good deeds that would help anyone in need.  He furnished the wild game feeds for the Boy Scouts dinner and Little League Banquet.

        He was a founding member of the Deer Creek Wildlife Club and was a member of several other hunting clubs.  He was an inductee into the WV Bear Hunters Association and WV Turkey Hall of Fame.

      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15, 2021 in the Family Life Center at Summersville Baptist Church with Pastor Dana Gatewood officiating.  Interment will follow in the Walker Memorial Park at Summersville under the direction of the White Funeral Home at Summersville.

      Friends may call at the Family Life Center on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. 

      Condolences may be made to the family at our website www.whitefuneralhomewv.com

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