Robert Buzz Bailey, 66

Robert Buzz Bailey, 66, passed away on June 17, 2010, at his home in Kalispell after a long illness. Buzz was born on Nov. 3, 1943, in San Fernando, Calif. He spent his early years in Newhall. Buzz attended college on a baseball scholarship in San Fernando. He married Roberta (Harvell) Garrett in 1974 in Reno, Nev. They had two children, Garry Gene Bailey and Amy Elizabeth Bailey. Buzz worked as a boiler fireman in lumber mills and in the auto parts business before the family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1978. He worked at Stoltz Lumber as a tail sawyer until 1979, when he and his wife became owners and operators in the gaming industry. The marriage ended but Buzz and Roberta remained friends and dedicated parents. Buzz continued in the gaming industry as an owner/manager of various venues in the Flathead Valley, including the Outlaw Inn and the Montana Nugget. Buzz was preceded in death by his parents, Emma Ward and George Haskell Bailey; and his son, Garry Gene Bailey (1996). He is survived by his daughter, Amy Bailey; and his grandchildren, Cody, Wyatt, Jade and Kylee; brother, Brian Bailey, and Jan; nieces, Teri Bailey and Shari Spokley and Grant of Kalispell, and Liz Greene and Ken of Tennessee; and nephew, Mitch Bailey, and Holly of Kalispell. Buzz took great delight in taking his grandchildren fishing and camping, and teaching them about safe and ethical hunting practices. He was particularly proud to have been with his eldest grandson, Cody, when he shot his first buck this past hunting season and often spoke of the great shot he made. Cremation has taken place. All friends and family members of Buzz are invited to a celebration of life potluck at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Lawrence Park Pavilion. Dress comfortably, and bring a side dish and your own non-alcoholic drinks.