Coy Bailey
Alaskan pioneer, Claude “Coy” Bailey, age 72, passed away peacefully in his Palmer home surrounded by his loving family Thursday, December 15, 2011.
A Memorial Service in honor of Coy will be held 7:00pm Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave, Wasilla, AK. Pastor Steve Carden will be officiating.
Coy was born on February 15, 1939 in Charlotte, North Carolina, son of Willis and Evelyn (Johnson) Bailey. Coy joined the Air Force at age 17 and moved to Alaska in 1958, where he soon met the love of his life, Ruth Nelson.
In 1990, Coy, Ruth, and their sons, Ron and Mike founded Bailey’s Furniture. As the business grew, Coy treated each employee as an extended family member. He cared deeply about each of their lives and was protective over each and every one. Often customers would come just to have coffee with Coy and swap tales. Coy was a blessing to all that knew him and would put a smile on anyone’s face. Coy also enjoyed supporting his community serving as Athletic Commissioner and Founder of Girls Club in Alaska. Known for his sometimes scandalous sense of humor, his contagious smile, he will truly be missed.
He is preceded in death by his father, Willis W. Bailey; mother, Evelyn R. Bailey; sister, Vivian Brown.
Coy is survived by a big, vibrant family including his loving wife, Ruth Bailey; sisters, Tamara Knox and Karen Wiggins; son & daughter in-laws, Ron and Cheryl Bailey; son & daughter in-law, Randy and Stephanie Bailey; son & daughter in-law, Rick and Sharon Bailey; son & daughter in-law, Mike and Krista Bailey; daughter & son in-law, Vicki and Matt Nelson. He also has sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Family cared for by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
Published in adn.com from December 18 to December 19, 2011
