CHARLESTON — A Charleston city councilman has died after an accident Wednesday night.
John Kennedy Bailey, who also was an attorney, died from injuries he suffered when a tree fell on his car near the Kanawha County animal shelter on Greenbrier Street.
Harry Bell said he had many memories with Bailey and his family.
"Woke up this morning to the news my friend, John Kennedy Bailey, died last night in a freak accident," Bell said. "A tree crushing his Ridgeline in Charleston. While I knew him for a number of years, as I became a dad and our kids were in Mountaineer Montessori together and became great friends there were many parties, visits & times spent with his family."
Bell said their children had fun on sleepovers, trips and parties.
"John was a bright light," Bell said. "He was passionate about causes such as equality, fairness and doing what is right. He loved Holly Holman Bailey and their kids so so much and was always welcoming and kind to others."
Bell said Bailey was brilliant and a wonderful person.
"We had such good times talking about our kids, education, WV and occasionally solving other problems in the world," Bell said. "As I type this I think of the time we had lunch and talked about how we might figure a way to put our practices together, we couldn’t figure it out but had a great time talking about it. I think of the times Derek loved spending time with Jack and his family and how Carrie & knew Derek was always safe with Holly & John."
Bell said Bailey had an infection smile and a passion for loving life and caring for people.
"I think of the shared love and joy of watching our kids grow up at Mountaineer Montessori and realizing we in Charleston, WV had this jewel of a school and as parents, we loved catching up at ice cream socials, galas, pickups, shows & school trips," Bell said.
Bell said Bailey's death is an incredible loss for his friends, family and the community.
Teresa Toriseva said Bailey would be missed.
"John Kennedy Bailey, Charleston lawyer and at-large City Councilman, was my law school classmate and dear friend," Toriseva said. "He’s always been adored and loved by his peers. He was kind, smart funny and made others better with his presence."
Toriseva said Bailey had an aura of decency, respect, humility and kindness.
"You could feel all of that fully when you were with him," Toriseva said.
Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said in a statement that Bailey was an incredible councilman.
“It is with profound sadness we mourn the loss of Charleston City Councilman John Kennedy Bailey—a devoted husband, doting father, loving son, loyal brother, and a dear friend to many including my husband and me," Goodwin said. "I spent many a night talking with John in the City Hall parking garage long after council meetings had ended. We’d talk about how we could fix things—make things better. He was funny and fun. He was relaxed but motivated. He was someone you wanted on your team, and we loved him so very much. "
Goodwin ordered city flags to be lowered to half-staff in his honor.
"John was an incredible councilman—always leading with integrity, honor and passion," Goodwin said. "With his keen intellect, calm voice, and measured approach, John always treated his fellow council members with kindness—even on the most difficult issues. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s wife Holly, sons Jack and Brooks, daughter Lisette, brother David, sister Anne, father former West Virginia State Treasurer Larrie Bailey and mother, Joyce."