James L. Bailey, whose concern for students pervaded his nearly quarter-century career as a University of Toledo mathematics professor, died Feb. 17, at Jennings Center for Older Adults, Garfield Heights, Ohio. He was 84.

He had cancer and was in declining health after breaking a hip last autumn, his daughter Melanie said. He and his wife, Ruth, moved from West Toledo to the retirement community six years ago.

UT granted Mr. Bailey emeritus status at his Aug. 22, 1987, retirement. He was hired in 1963 as a UT associate professor after teaching at Michigan State University, from which he received a master’s degree and doctorate. He also taught at what was then Case Institute of Technology.

He was a former chairman of the UT mathematics department.

“He was personable, and he was approachable,” said Ivie Stein, Jr., an associate professor of mathematics.

Applied mathematics was a specialty, and his classes were popular among engineering majors.

“My dad had a strong moral compass, and he really cared about student development,” said his daughter Laurie, who was a UT math major and later taught high school math for several years.

His daughter Melanie recalled that students often worked with him in the family’s Old Orchard home.

“Dad was one of the best professors out there, and I wanted to be like him. I could tell he was making a difference in people’s lives. I thought, ‘What’s better than that?’ ” said daughter Melanie, who retired in 2014 as a professor of communication and women’s studies at Eastern Illinois University.

“My dad was true blue. What I mean by that is he lived a life of the mind, but he very much cared for people,” daughter Melanie said. “Dad didn’t come from much, but he appreciated all walks of life. I think that’s a value he passed along to all of us that has enriched our lives.”

Mr. Bailey was co-author of many scientific papers on earthquake research and studied the effects of seismic activity on nuclear facilities for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. He also taught at what is now NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

He was born March 21, 1930, in Tiffin to Mildred and Irvin Bailey. His mother was a professional pianist. He played cornet in marching band at Tiffin Columbian High School and took part in music competitions.

He received a bachelor of science degree in 1952 from Heidelberg College. He started Heidelberg in chemistry — his father taught high school chemistry and mathematics — but then “fell in love with math,” daughter Melanie said. “He never looked back.”

He and his father had math-themed conversations, and so did he and daughter Laurie. On a hike, he might ask how long it would take for a dropped pebble to land, given certain parameters, or the distance between where they were standing and the top of a tree he would point to.

“It was part of everyday life,” daughter Laurie said.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth, whom he married Aug. 30, 1952; son, Scott; daughters, Melanie Bailey Mills and Laurie Weed; brother, Robert; seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Memorial services will be scheduled later.

The family suggests tributes to First Congregational Church, where he was a member, or Wildwood Preserve Metropark, a favorite spot for taking walks.

Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.

First Published February 26, 2015, 5:00 a.m.