PRINCETON, WV - Robert Wesley Bailey Jr., 65, of Princeton formerly of McDowell County, died Friday evening, March 15, 2019 at his home with his loving family by his side.

Born June 22, 1953 at Bluefield, he is the son of Robert W. Bailey Sr. of Princeton and the late Ruth Irene Dills Bailey.

Robert was a graduate of Northfork High School. Robert had a long career in the coal industry starting with Eastern Gas Associates, Keystone #1 mines and retiring from Patriot Coal Mines in Boone as a Fire Boss. He was a member of the U.M.W.A.

While his health permitted, Robert was an active member of the Princeton Church of God, Oakvale Road, Princeton, where he served on various boards and committees. Robert enjoyed collecting of mine memorabilia, going to flea markets and antique shopping. He enjoyed reading & studying God's Word.

Robert was a pioneer in breaking the backlog of back lung benefits that was due coal miners, because of the toll it took on his own health, having had a double lung transplant, he served as an advocate for black lung benefits. He spoke before the U.S. Senate hearings in Washington D.C. as well in Utah. Robert received his transplant at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA.

The real love of Robert's life, his wife, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of nearly 46 years, Brenda Lockhart Bailey, three children: Jennifer Denise Bailey Blankenship & husband Joe; Robert Bailey & wife Christie; Jason Lee Bailey & wife Sara. 9 grandchildren, Tyler Gruskievich & wife Jessee, Jacob Gruskievich, Megan Green, Breanna Bailey, Jordan Bailey, Maddie Law, Natalie Bailey, Liam Sandridge, Brady Bailey. One sister Carolyn Bailey Bragg & husband Ray. His special four-legged friend, Sadie May. A special thanks to the transplant team at Inova Fairfax Hospital Dr. Whitney Brown & Jessica Chun.

Services to celebrate the life of Robert W. Bailey Jr. will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the Princeton Church of God on the Oakvale Road, Princeton with Dr. Ray Hurt officiating. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Friends may visit the family Monday from 6 until 8 P.M. at the Princeton Church of God.

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com

Friends and church family will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Princeton Church of God, 250 Oakvale Road, Princeton WV 24740.

The Bailey family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.