Angels Camp, CA…Mr. Kenneth Clayton Bailey October 13, 1942 ~ December 19, 2025 (age 83). Kenneth Clayton Bailey “Philosopher”. Born in October 1942 a few minutes after midnight during a howling Santa Anna storm. Grew up and lived in San Bernardino County when it was still rugged chaparral county.

Showed artistic talent at an early age. Became an avid hiker in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mounts. Developed a love for nature. Liked fishing for trout in mountain streams.

Quit college after one year to thumb across the country. Got frostbite in Texas. Was arrested in Florida for sassing a local. Was escorted from Bahamas for skinny-dipping in hotel pool with female flight attendants. Enlisted in Air Force during Cuban Missile Crisis.

Went back to college where he studied art and theatre. He led protests against the war in Vietnam. Thumbed all over California exploring the state and its people. Lived in San Francisco during the famous Haight Ashbury days while working at the Post Office. Was married briefly. Lived in Glendale where he worked for Columbia Pictures and ITT.

Lived in Santa Cruz while attending Cabrillo College. Worked in various capacities at the Catalyst Nightclub and at Santa Cruz Imports. Backpacked in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Held many odd jobs in the Claremont College areas. Earned separate AA degrees in Art and Cultural Geography. Read hundreds if books on many subjects, but leaned mostly from life’s experiences.

Moved to Calaveras County in 1989 for newspaper jobs and for the Sierra Nevada Range. Backpacked extensively in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. He posted against the invasion of Iraq. Enjoyed writing short stories and playing chess.

Met and became friends with many diverse people on his journey.

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