34, School of the Osage grad ranked in the top 10 of class of 1993
Michael Jude Bailey, 34, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Sept. 30, 2009.
Formerly of Lake Ozark, he attended School of the Osage and graduated among the top 10 in his class in 1993.
Michael applied to and was accepted at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, but later decided to attend college in Missouri.
He attended various state universities, but never found his destination. He was enrolled in Pima College in Tucson when he died.
Michael was an avid reader, a certified scuba diver, and enjoyed nature, running, and athletic exercise.
He had a brilliant mind, and enjoyed solving mathematic equations. He was kind, generous, compassionate, and loved helping people and animals.
He was tolerant and respectful of others, and quick to defend when he perceived any injustice.
Michael was an enigma. He was adamant about proper nutrition, diet and exercise, and yet he fell victim to the debilitating disease that he battled all of his adult life: alcoholism.
He is tenderly thought of and sorrowfully missed by all who knew and loved him.
His is survived by his parents, Larry G. and Patricia Bailey of Eldon, his daughter Madison Lynn Brown; one sister Trish Braun of Jefferson City, Mo.; his maternal grandmother Mabel Frederickson of Jefferson City; his special aunt, Maggie Patterson of Tucson; step grandparents Virgil and Carolyn Feltner of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one niece, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and loving friends who were always there for him.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Peggy (Frederickson) Bailey, maternal grandfather Ralph Frederickson, and paternal grandparents Julius (Jude) and Lorene Bailey.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Tucson Mountain Baptist Church in Tucson, with Rev. Shona Kiilsgaard and Dr. Jay George officiating.
A local visitation and memorial service will be held on Nov. 25, 2009, with visitation fromt 5-6:30 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon,. The memorial service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Walter Simpson will officiate.
Memorials for Michael are suggested to the local animal shelter.
