Clifford Ames Bailey's Obituary
Clifford Ames Bailey passed away peacefully on November 2nd, 2024. His life was defined by his generous spirit, strong work ethic, and love for church, music, and family.
Born on October 24th, 1940 in South Bend, Indiana, Clifford was the cherished first born of Clifford Newton Bailey and Willow Dean Iolene Bailey.
As a child Clifford’s family moved to Colorado where they panned for gold, raised rabbits, and rode a trolley to and from school. His father started a church there and he was baptized in an icy mountain stream. They moved back to Indiana and then to Missouri, where as a teen he played basketball and football. He was also the cafeteria’s favorite food taster.
His sister, Delight, set him up with Marilyn Brown whom he later married on July 1, 1960 in Macon, MO. They worked in the Toastmaster factory together, milking cows before and after work. They both even received the gift of the Holy Ghost together after they were married. Their daughter Melinda was born in 1962, and son Paul was born shortly afterwards in 1965.
Clifford created a tradition of taking the family out to eat after work on Friday nights and also for breakfast before church on Sunday morning. He wasn’t quite as generous with his sweets; he hid those in the back of the fridge or even in his underwear drawer (which his family still seemed to find).
He was an entrepreneur that wanted to give his family a better life. Clifford was proficient at tool and die, as well as mold-making. A true testament to his skill was that he built parts for the Apollo missions that went to the moon in the early 1970s.
In 1973, Clifford left the tool and die business, sold his new home he built in Hannibal, Missouri, and invested in their first motel. Several years later, Clifford opened Bailey Tool & Die, Inc. where he was able to employ three generations of the Bailey family as well as others. It became one of the best job shops in Missouri at the time, working military contracts, other government jobs, and making parts for McDonnell Douglas among others. In the early 90s, he moved to Tulsa to be closer to his grandchildren where they continued to manage hotels until the mid 2000s.
They shared a love of travel with their kids, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. Many fond memories were made on those trips, such as Clifford and Marilyn accidentally riding the Space Mountain roller coaster at Disney World. Together with Marilyn he went on over 50 cruises, many of which he shared with family. They also enjoyed taking trips to Branson and often included family and friends.
For years he continued to play the trombone at church. He also purchased instruments for his grandchildren and would even pick up instruments at yard sales, etc. to help others interested in music. He loved to sing, play, and all things musical; even attending his grandchildren’s early concerts which stretch the limits of what can be determined as “music.”
He loved the gospel message and his church. He stayed involved over the years, assisting as a worship leader, helping in Sunday School, playing in the orchestra and supporting as a trustee on the church board. Even in his final days when he couldn’t recall your name he would ask if you were going to church. His face would light up if you told him yes. He could also recall the hymns if you sang them and still hum or whistle along in harmony. He always maintained a cheerful spirit and a smile.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Newton Bailey and Willodean Bailey; son-in-law Bradley Rowland; and his brothers, Nathan Bailey and Glen Bailey. Clifford is survived by his devoted wife Marilyn Bailey of Tulsa; his children, Melinda Smith and her husband, Mike, of Tulsa, and Paul Bailey and his wife, Trina, of McAlester; his grandchildren, Marlana Marks and her husband, Casey, Mike Bailey, Jessica Dickson and her husband, Josh, Caitlyn Bailey, and Lisa Rowland; his great grandchildren, Macy, Cameron, and Andrew, and his sister, Delight Willingham and her husband, Larry, of Macon, Missouri.
Visitation will be held 5:00 PM ~ 7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Visitation Suites in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, November 07, 2024, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow.
For family and friends who are unable to attend the service in person, click on the following link to join by webcasting.
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/106210/hash:F09832799D9FA4D4
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