Obituary of Gerald Thomas Bayless

Carmel - Tom was born August 17, 1927 in Fresno, CA. He attended Edison High School And Fresno State College. At 17 years old he served in the US Navy during WWII in the Asiatic Pacific. He was also a member of VFW Post 884, DAV Chapter 1, Fresno, CA. Tom worked in the banking business for many years starting his career with First Western Bank in the Mayfair District in Fresno and eventually to the Financial District headquarters in Fresno. On a lark, in 1954 Tom and his cousin Sonny Steinhauer traveled to the territory of Alaska to work in Ester Camp on a gold dredge and a logging company outside of Fairbanks. Tom enjoyed skiing and after two years in Alaska he and a group of friends traveled to the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. He then spent the rest of the the winter skiing in the Swiss Alps, Austria and Germany. When ski season ended he continued traveling Europe, one stop was in Monaco during the festivities of Prince Reiner and Grace Kelly's wedding. Before moving to Carmel in 1984 Tom enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Bass Lake near Yosemite with his family and friends. He particularly enjoyed the snowy winters. For many years Tom oil painted as a hobby, seascapes and landscapes. He gave them to his friends, acquaintances and family. Tom is survived by his wife Mary of Carmel; son, Ernie Bayless of Granite Bay, CA., Son, Eric Bayless (Donna) of Fresno, CA, daughter, KC Simmons (Frank) of Half Moon Bay; grandchildren, Derek, Chad, and Shelby Bayless of Rocklin, CA, Jianna Bayless of Fresno, CA. and Sean Simmons of Half Moon Bay, CA.