Mr. George David Bailey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

George David Bailey, 69, born in Colquitt, Georgia on October 9, 1947, passed away November 18, 2016, in Tallahassee, where he grew up in a large loving family. He moved back to Tallahassee after retiring. He was a 1966 graduate of Rickards High School, where he played Tackle for the Rickards Redskins and also participated in Chorus. From 1973 until 1979, he served as an Airman in the United States Air Force, during which he received a Good Conduct Medal, a Longevity Service Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Outstanding Unit Award. He served as a Civil Engineer at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina and Hahn Air Force Base in Germany, training new troops in rapid runway repair, roads, grounds and fence maintenance, as well as snow removal. At the age of 38, he continued his education, being awarded an Associate Degree of Public Service in Criminal Justice in 1984 from Central Carolina College. He completed Reserve Police Officer Training with the Sumter, South Carolina Police Department prior to his career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, where he served as a Correctional Officer for 24 years, in South Carolina’s Maximum Security Institutions. For four years, George worked with troubled youth at the Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, South Carolina. George was most passionate about spending time with his family and helping out those in need. He was fiercely loyal, deeply proud of his family, loved to cut-up and make others laugh. He was also a very compassionate and generous man. He was a kind, affectionate, silly, witty, encouraging caring and sensitive man. He enjoyed writing and sharing poetry with strangers. He was a member of the US Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, as well as several other local and national charitable organizations. He was always there to help a friend in need and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his mother, Winifred Bailey; children, Mike Bailey, Kathy Cleveland (PeeWee) and Bonnie Bailey; grandchildren, Michael Bailey, Trevor Rackley and Leah Cleveland; siblings, John Paul Bailey (Donna), Jim Bailey (Trish), Barbara Traylor (Ronnie), Frances Powell (David) and Sandra Davis (Tommy); aunt, Nellie Bailey, as well as a slew of nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by brothers, Bobby and Stanley; and a nephew, Shane Pendleton. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 PM, Friday, November 25, 2016, at Abbey Funeral Home, with a memorial service beginning at 3:00 PM. Following the memorial service, friends are invited to join the family at the home of his brother, John Paul and Donna Bailey to continue the celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to www.gofundme.com/BaileyFuneral. Online condolences may be expressed at www.abbeyfh.com. His personal life motto: “We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace. Begin each day as if it were on purpose.” George lived out his faith and this motto until his last day on earth.

Mr. George David Bailey

October 9, 1947 - November 18, 2016