David William Bailey – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
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 David William Bailey of Sparkman Community in Van Buren County, TN, was born in Bradford, PA on February 3, 1948 and passed from this life just after midnight on April 30, 2019 in Cookeville, TN. His parents were Livermore Tucker and Mabel (Booth) Bailey (deceased).

 

David is survived by his wife, Sue Dodson Bailey, of Sparkman Community, son, Matthew Sewell Bailey (wife Kathryn), grandsons Evan and Colin of Cookeville, TN, sister Carol Bailey Welch of South Ryegate, Vermont. Special people in his life were his Grandpa and Grammie Bailey (deceased) of South Ryegate, Vermont and Uncle Sewell and Aunt Adell Page (deceased) of Newbury, Vermont. He is survived by three special cousins, Donna Carlson, Steven Page, and Randy Page of Vermont, Aunt Ellen Edwards, and seventeen other first cousins and many nephews, nieces, and brothers and sisters-in-law.

 

David was a graduate of Newbury High School, University of Vermont, Texas Tech University, and James Madison University. He was a CPA and teacher. He served in active duty with the United States Navy for four years during the Vietnam Conflict and on active reserve for twelve years.  It was during this time on active duty, he was called and received the faith to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

For those who were close to my dad, know he was called to be a prayer warrior for Jesus Christ and a student of the word — even to writing commentaries on the books within the Bible.  Dad would get up early to listen to Christian music, pray, study, write — truly working out his salvation through this special calling.

 

Evan, my oldest son, and like his papa, is an early riser and often observed his papa on the “job”.  Once when we asked who wrote the Bible, Evan threw up his hand and hollowed “Papa”. Well, Papa really did not write the Bible but the Bible was surely written on Papa’s heart by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I must tell a Colin interaction with Dad. Colin loves heights and he thought Dad way up high. So just about every time he saw his Papa, he’d point his hands up and say “high, high”. Papa even in is very weak state would hoist him up onto is shoulders with Colin hollowing, “I high, I high”! Thanks Dad for shouldering my family and helping us to soar.  You are missed!

 

Let me share a couple of memories of my dad. Dan loved sports and fancied himself capable of being a major league baseball player and it went on!  He often told of his greatness on the basketball court until his Vermont cousins and friends shared more true-to-life picture of those days of his youth. Those game winning basketball shots turned into that one game winning basketball shot!

 

Dad traveled many a mile taking me to play sport’s games with the likes of Josh Carter, Kevin Weldon, Brad Walker, and others friends and cousins. I’ll never forget the day Dad came home, jumped out of the car and into a basketball game with Bryant, Henry, and myself. Dad went up for a shot. The ball came down and so did Dad. He fractured his leg in three places. I can’t remember if he scored on that shot.  Guess he forgot to remember he had two nephews, one nearly seven foot tall and another over six feet, and then there was me, guarding him.  Sorry Dad for your pain and suffering, but what a great memory we have of your day on our victory court!

 

I was blessed to have him as a Dad. He loved me unconditionally! Thank you Dad.

 

And, my family and I thank each of you for coming. You have honored my father during this week of his home going into eternal life.  Dad go, go quickly to claim your prize. You have won the race with greatness! I know Jesus will honor you with His words, “Well done my faithful servant, David William Bailey”.

 

Graveside services will be held Friday May 3, 2019 at 8:00AM at Dodson/Beech Cove Cemetery with Pastors Brad Walker and Kevin Weldon officiating.

 

On-line condolences to the family may be made at www.laynefuneralhome.com

 

Layne Funeral Home of Spencer in charge of arrangements

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