David Larry Bailey (February 26th, 1947 – February 24th, 2024)

David Larry Bailey, age 76, of Northport, Alabama, passed away on February 24, 2024 at Northport Medical Center.

Funeral services with military honors will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Magnolia Chapel North with Rev. Terrell Jones and Pastor Noah Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in the Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL 35115, at 2:00 p.m. with Magnolia Chapel North directing. Visitation will be 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Magnolia Chapel North.

He was preceded in death by his parents, D. C. Bailey and Lois Arberta Bailey; sister, Kathy Fowler; and brother, Donald Bailey.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Bailey; daughter, Dr. Pamela Bailey, Northport, AL; sons, Lance Bailey (Amy), Northport, AL, Byron Bailey (Shannon), Ralph, AL, and Wayne Bailey, Cullman, AL; sister, Judy Patton (Mike), Duncanville, AL; grandchildren, Abigail Crawford Bradley (Andrew), Colin Crawford, Caroline Crawford, Pastor Noah Crawford (Haley), Mason Bailey, Matthew Bailey, Major Bailey, Mary Raegan Bailey, Austin Bailey, Lilli Kate Bailey, Railyn Bailey, Hayes Bailey, Cade Bailey, Carlee Grace Bailey, and Chandler Bailey; and great-grandson, Oliver Bradley.

He was affectionately known as “Larry” or “Pops” by those who loved and knew him well. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He was married to Sue, the love of his life, for over 55 years.

He served his country for almost 20 combined years in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Screaming Eagles and the Alabama Army National Guard. He was a member of the Army Marksmanship Unit, a sharpshooter, a weapons specialist, and a gunner on the Abrams M1A1 battle tanks in Iraq during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War. Sergeant Bailey received commendations for heroism from the French and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Liberation of Kuwait.

He made a difference in the lives of so many people who, over the years, would cross paths with him and his family in the most unexpected ways, sharing stories of how he had helped them, saved their lives, or showed them so much kindness. Sometimes, they were people from other countries. He worked for the City of Tuscaloosa Water Department, Gulf States Paper Mill until it closed, the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Department, and Jim Walter Resources. He retired from Jim Walter Resources after 21 years. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson and was so proud of them. He never met a stranger and could tell the best stories. He enjoyed attending Phillips Chapel Church and made sure that he talked to everyone before and after services.

He loved Disney World and had taken his children and grandchildren or traveled there with them 21 times starting in 1981. The last time he was there was February 7, 2024.

He loved to travel with Sue and with his family. He and Sue camped in a tent on the North Rim of The Grand Canyon once, visited his favorite city, St. Augustine, Florida, multiple times, went to Hawaii with the Alabama Football team, and traveled the American West following the steps of the great Cowboys. He enjoyed hunting and fishing before the Gulf War. He was an avid reader and had read through the Bible several times. He loved Westerns starring John Wayne and Audie Murphy and Elvis’s movies. He had the best time teaching grandkids to play dominoes and shoot guns. He loved his country and proudly wore his Army and Desert Storm hats everywhere. Most never realized just how great he was. He would have wanted us to love without limits, fight for what is right, forgive unconditionally, and help make a difference. He was one of a kind, and he will be missed.

Pallbearers: Colin Crawford-Atlanta, GA; Noah Crawford-Dripping Springs, TX; Mason Bailey-Northport, AL; Matthew Bailey-Northport, AL; Major Bailey-Northport, AL; Austin Bailey-Ralph, AL; Hayes Bailey-Ralph, AL; Cade Bailey-Northport, AL; and Andrew Bradley-Moundville, AL.

Honorary pallbearers are Phillips Chapel Church, UMWA Local 2245, Dr. Grant Strong at the Tuscaloosa Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, and Oliver Bradley .

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Sergeant David Bailey.