Kansas State USBC BA
2004 Hall of Fame Inductees
Jerry Bailey
Jerry Lee Bailey ret up in Hutchinson Kansas and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956. He then went to serve in ;the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. He moved to dodge City in 1962 and began working for the U.S. Postal service in 1963, after 30 years of dedicated service he retired in 1993.
Jerry began bowling in 1972 at the age of 34 and was awarded a belt buckle for the most improved Average Award that season and thus began his long and enjoyable career. As a very dedicated bowler Jerry has participated in every city tournament from 1973 to 2003 except for 1979 and every state tournament from 1975 to 2003 with the exception of 1982 when he went to Oregon to attend his daughters wedding. Along the way he has earned such honors as Class "A" doubles champion in 1977 and Class "A" singles and ALL-EVENT Champion in 1989. He has participated in nine National tournaments and ten American Legion tournaments. His career game high is 256 with a high series of 644.
Jerry's Most important contribution to bowling has not come on the lanes but in his tireless service and dedication to his fellow bowlers. He was elected vice president for the Dodge City Bowlers Association from 1984 - 1990 and earned the honor of Director of the Year in 1984. Jerry was then elected President of the Association an office he served on from 1990 to 1999, and served as president of the National bowling League from 1986 to 1992. During his tenure as president of the league saw steady growth in the number of bowlers as well as an increase in the teams participating in league play and in the city tournament. After stepping down from the office he was made a Life Member of the Board and then was re-elected President of the Board in 2001. Not Only was he very active at the local level he also served as the 89th District Bowling Chairman for the American Legion for 1992 - 1997 and on the State American Legion Bowling Board from 1992-1997.
Thanks to his hard work and dedication he has helped to make the Doge City Tournament one of the finest in the state. He sought out several sponsors making it possible for the Dodge City Association to be one of the first to give out jackets to winning teams and individuals, an example other associations have followed. Through his efforts he has been instrumental in raising the level of participation of bowling at the local level as well as the state tournaments.
Of all Jerry's accomplishments the Y.A.B.A. is closest to his heart. He was elected Vive President in 1984 and President in 1985, an office he filled for nine years. Hw was appointed to a committee to help the program to become better organized, a board of directors was appointed from ABC, WIBC, youth bowlers and parents. A tournament was organized for the Y.A.B.A. and Jerry raised funds to help defer the cost. Hw was able to convince adult bowlers to contribute funds as well as getting sponsorship form the American Legion and the V.F.W. He made sure that every child that wanted to participate was able to and not left out due to financial reasons; each child who participated in the tournament received a bowling towel or T-Shirt. Old trophies were donated from local bowlers and were recycled for the kids, their smiling faces and bright laughter made it well worth the effort that everyone put into the tournament.
Jerry plans to continue to Bowling Association as long as he is able. He is both honored and humbled to be inducted into the Kansas Bowlers Hall Of Fame and would like to thank every one who supported him and his efforts to improve the tournament and league participation. To be given this prestigious award means more to him than words can ever express.
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