POCATELLO – Vernal Facer Bailey, age 89, of Pocatello, ID passed away quietly in his sleep at Ashley Manor Care Center on February 2, 2002.

He was born December 31, 1912 in Arbon Valley, ID, the son of Lorenzo Hawkins Bailey and Agnes Chloe Facer Bailey. He spent his childhood in Arbon Valley and attended elementary school. He learned to herd sheep, care for cattle and run farm machinery on his father’s ranch, developing at an early age strong sense of independence and love for the land that would stay with him throughout his life.

On October 6, 1937, Vernal married Blanche Elizabeth Lusk. Their marriage was solemnized later in the Logan, UT Temple on June 22, 1940. Together, this loving couple enjoyed almost 65 years of marriage and happiness together.

Vernal and Blanche made their home in Arbon Valley, where over the years Vernal acquired several different homesteads, eventually creating one of the longest and most productive dryland wheat farms and cattle ranches in Power County. In 1974 he sold the ranch and moved to Pocatello and there devoted nearly ten years to managing the Pocatello Stake Farm.

Vernal was a High Priest in the Cedar Hill Ward. He served as a home teacher and active high priest group member for many years.

Vernal loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed taking his sons and grandsons on fishing trips to the Mackay and Copper Basin areas and hunting for deer in the mountains of Arbon and Malad that he knew so well. He also enjoyed bowling and was a dedicated member of several different bowling teams over the years.

Vernal is survived by his wife, Blanche, of Pocatello; two sons, V. Stanley and Kaye Bailey of Antioch, CA; and Rickard D. and Sandra Bailey of Deer Valley, UT; one daughter, Sharla Dene Bailey Kidder and husband, William Kidder of new York City; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. R. G. (Sylvia) Hardman and Mrs. Robert (Mildred) Jones of Pocatello; and one brother, Dean and Kay Bailey of American Falls.

He was preceded in death by one son; his parents; two brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held February 6, 2002 at the Cedar Hills Ward building with Bishop Ken Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.