Lawernce Wayne Bailey

Lawernce was born March 22, 1928 in Houston, TX, to the John Lawrence & Laura (Isbell) Bailey. He died Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Dougherty, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 25 days. Lawernce and the former Ms. Mary Dee Etta Wallace were married on Jul 2, 1948 in Alvin, TX. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2013.

Lawrence grew up in the Houston area. At the age of 14, he left home to embark on his life’s journey. At the age of 15, together he and brothers leased a service station and operated it while still attending high school. At the beginning of his senior year, he left school and joined the US Merchants Marines. Following a six week enlistment with the Merchant Marine, he returned home and graduated from Pasadena High School with his class of 1946. Following graduation, he immediately joined the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After he was honorably discharged in 1948 he retuned home to marry his only love, Dee Etta. Together, they owned and operated Bailey Brothers Wrecker & Service Center in South Houston for 35+ years. It was during the early years of their marriage that Lawernce attended the University of Houston, where he studied architecture. In the late 1970’s they retired and moved to Normangee, TX, where they had commercial green houses and truck patch gardens. They raised plants and vegetables and sold to the public and area grocery stores. To say Lawernce Bailey was an avid outdoorsman is truly an understatement. He lived to be outdoors hunting and fishing. He, with Dee Etta or his children often by his side traveled the world hunting, fishing and collecting arrowheads. Some of the places he hunted and fished include Canada, Mexico, Africa, South America and Alaska. Lawernce had numerous trophy kills from around the world, many of which he had mounted and displayed at his museum in Houston. He and Dee Etta were both featured in several hunting magazines, the most prestigious being the cover story of Field and Streams.

Although he lived to hunt & fish, Lawrence loved woodworking. He was a master wood carver. The man could literally look at something and go home and carve it. He carved countless totem poles, pieces of furniture and any other thing he thought someone would like. Once his carvings were precisely completed, Lawernce would skillfully and tediously paint his work. Christmas was always a nervous time for family members where Lawernce was concerned. You never knew what unique gift he would be giving. It could be anything from a simple card to a bracelet he had made from elephant hair, to an exotic paperweight made of dried animal manure, to hand carved ducks and candelabras or something he had fashioned out of animal hides or deer antlers. One never knew what to expect from Lawernce.

Even with all of his hobbies and enjoyments, spending time with his family was what he cherished the most. He was truly a loving and devoted husband and father. His life revolved around Dee Etta, Kaye and Larry, Jr. He worked countless hours to provide the very best life for his wife and children. The love and devotion he possessed for them spilled over into Dee Etta’s family. He was always anxiously waiting to host any type of family get together he could. He simply loved being with family, each and every one of them. He and Dee Etta were always the first to congratulate family members for any accomplishment, be there to encourage them when life got rough, lend a helping hand or share in the happiness of a great day.

Lawernce Bailey blessed our family with so many great memories. He truly touched everyone in the family with his great humor, his sincere care for everyone and his infectious smile. Granted, it is very hard to let this great man go, we know he is now at rest and most importantly for him, he and Dee Etta are “Together Again”. If one was forced to put Lawernce Bailey’s life into five short words, it would have to be “I did it my way”.

Survivors include one daughter, Kaye (Bailey) Parisi & husband Steve of Wimberley, TX; one son, Larry Bailey, JR & wife Barbara of Corpus Christi, TX; two grandchildren, Corry Bailey and Dory Parisi; two great-grandchildren, Giovanni Christopher Bailey and Emily Parisi; as well as numerous nieces, nephews & cousins, including, Judy Hale & husband Glenn “Diddle”, Rhett Hale & wife Becky, Brandy Claxton & husband Keith, Hannah & Tanner Claxton, & John Rheed Hale, all of Dougherty, Bree Roady & husband Justin of Davis and Joanie Brooks of Houston.

In addition to his wife and parents, Lawernce was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Burl and Kenneth Bailey.

Serving as pallbearers are Steve Parisi, Corry Bailey, Rhett Hale, Keith Claxton, Tanner Claxton, Justin Roady and John Rheed Hale. Honorary bearers will be Glenn “Diddle” Hale, Monte Billy, Edwin Samples, Jay Wallace and his dedicated caregivers, Elaine Hoffman, Elayna Sprague and Norma Gibson.

9/20/2016
10:00 AM
06:00 PM
Viewing
Hale's Funeral Home
202 South 4th Street
Davis
OK
73030



9/21/2016
11:00 AM

Funeral
Dougherty Baptist Church

Dougherty
OK
73032