Jerry Bails R.I.P: June 26,1933 - November 23, 2006

[selegue]

I'm forwarding this obituary to Gold Comics, where it will probably find most interested parties. Jerry was always very helpful and supportive -- it's sad to mark his passing. He's certainly one of the great names in fandom.

 

Jack

 

Message from Ray Bottorff Jr of the Grand Comic-Book Database:

 

This is the saddest notice I have ever had to pass along to my friends in comic book fandom.

 

 

I just received a call from Jerry's wife Jean of the news that Jerry Bails, The Father of Comic Book Fandom, died in his sleep today of an apparent heart attack. He was 73.

 

Jerry had been suffering a serious heart condition for the past several years. In recent months the physical discomfort he had experienced had kept him mostly homebound, but his mind remained as sharp as ever, thanks to the contact he was able to continue with friends and family through the internet.

 

At this time, details of any services or funerals are not yet known. According to Jean, Jerry's wishes were for something simple and the family are in the process of working on that.

 

Jerry was a lot of things to a lot of people. For me, he was a mentor, a teacher, a guide--whose wisdom and kindness helped make the world an even better place for many. But most important, I am and will always be deeply proud that I consider Jerry to be my friend. I am a little less not to have his wisdom gracing my ears any longer and I am much MORE knowing that I did have time on this earth in having that same wisdom touch my heart.

 

My deepest love goes out to Jean, Kirk, and all other family members and loved ones of Jerry.

 

-Ray Bottorff Jr

[HouseofComics.Com]

Ah, that's too bad. I always enjoyed his letters in the early JLAs and such. Maybe post it in Silver too as that's when his fandom exploits took place?

[The Black Hand ®]

I'm sorry to hear that. Jerry was a positive force and represented all that is good about comic book reading and collecting.

[ciorac]

Very sad news. I regret never having met the man.

[Moondog]

I never met him either but corresponded with him in the early 80's. Very nice guy. And a giant among collectors/historians.

[jbcomicbox]

One of the true pioneers of fandom and bringing information of comicbooks and their artists to database form. Probably not as well known as others but people like him and Howard Keltner labored long and hard to create and perserve information about comics and their creators and the history of this storytelling art form. A true loss to the hobby.

[PUNYHUMAN]

Truly sad news. We have so much to thank him for in this hobby. A Pioneer!!

We will miss you Jerry.

[BLBcomics-migration]

If not for Jerry Bails cranking up Alter Ego in April 1961, we would not have a Comics Fandom.

 

Period

 

I was shocked to learn this news from my old friend artist Don Rosa as i was setting up my booth space at MidOhio. Then friends Mark Evanier and Tony Isabella came by as well, confirming what Don R had just told me.

 

Jerry had a huge heart, helping me a lot with my comics history research, as well as helping out thousands of other comics people over the years. His monumental Who's Who in American Comic Books project containing over 19,000 entries on comics creators is available on line via www.comics.org

 

Robert Beerbohm

www.BLBcomics.com