of Conway, AR
July 17, 1935 - October 30, 2014
Therold ''Ted'' Bailey, 79, of Conway, Arkansas passed away October 30, 2014. He was born on July 17, 1935 in Cross Country, Arkansas to the late Therald Bailey and Gladys Jones Bailey. Although born in Arkansas, Ted lived most of his early years in Memphis, TN.
Ted was a lifetime faithful Christian and an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Conway. He was a very caring and generous person with both his time and resources. Ted was known and loved for his kindness, sense of humor, brilliant mind, and willingness to serve selflessly where needed. He volunteered extensively for over 30 years at AETN PBS TV Station in Conway and at the Little Rock Zoo.
He loved to travel and in his retirement traveled to many different places around the world. Ted also loved classical music.
Ted graduated from Messick High School in Memphis, TN. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and his Master's and Doctorate from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He also earned an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. As a professor he taught at Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma State University, and retired from the University of Central Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Therald and Gladys Bailey, his brother; Bobby, who passed away at a young age, as well as his grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Ted is survived by six first cousins; Mary Dill and husband Frank of San Rafael CA., Betty Dangeau and husband Leroy of Wynne, AR., Dr. Harry Harrell and wife Cathy of Jonesboro, AR., Ed Coleman and wife Marie of Cabot, AR., John Coleman and wife Karen of Cabot, AR., Pam Crumpton and husband Clay of Heber Springs, AR., and Barbara Bailey Ash and husband Tony of Abilene, Texas, one uncle; Earl Priest of Memphis, TN. He is also leaves behind a host of close friends. Ted loved his extended family and his friends very much.
A graveside memorial service will be held on November 8th at the Memorial Parkway Cemetery in Memphis, TN
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15 Condolence(s)
PAUL G DARROUGH III
Monday, February 8, 2021
I knew EugeneTed Bailey as a computer science professor at Oklahoma State University in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also became a good friend. As a result of enrolling in one of his Ted’s classes I completely changed my educational direction and majored in computer science. This computer science degree was the foundation for my entire working career. I owe him a tremendous debt. Ted and I went jogging a number of times near the OSU campus. He emphasized that he didn’t run fast, but could run a long, long distance. This was true. I also recall that we both ran slow enough that we could continue talking as we ran, discussing many topics.
I remember him as articulate and thoughtful in what he said and how he said it. A sense of humor always lurked just below the surface. His words and thoughts commanded respect. Ted was highly intelligent, but never wore that on his sleeve. I remember Ted telling me he lived in a mobile home, emphasizing it was not a trailer. Twenty five years later I bought a trailer that I used for a fishing base so I finally understood why he emphasized that point. I remember he liked shopping at Shepler’s western wear. Some of our discussions about Jesus Christ and church have always remained with me. Somehow I believe Ted would not be surprised that I am so late adding my thoughts about him, and that he would chuckle a bit about it.
I lost contact with him in the 1980s after we both moved out of Oklahoma. Today, forty years later, and after he is gone, I still consider him a close friend, and always will. He was simply the nicest person I have known.
Brian Wagner
Thursday, November 20, 2014
I will miss your company during the lunches we shared together. Rest in peace my friend.
Bo and Sherry Jones
Monday, November 17, 2014
Our condolences to the family. Will be praying for all of the family.
Audrey Burtrum-Stanley
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Darl'n TED -- friends for 30 yrs. There are so many grand memories of sharing time with him.
I can remember greeting him in a deserted studio at AETN while everyone was taking a break eating dinner. I had come in for a fundraiser. He was rather innocently standing alone in the middle of the floor. I made a Loretta Young entrance, grabbing his hand; Then, we twirled a brief dance across the floor while some glorious music (played on the TV studio's live monitor from an orchestra being featured) on AETN just then. Always sweet 'n shy, he whispered: "That was ahhhh, nice, very nice" followed by his huge smile.
You could not help but adore Ted.
I too, recall him sitting front row / center at the LR symphony. He always seemed enraptured by the beautiful sounds of the evening when we would all met up while strolling out of Robinson Auditorium. I almost went to Russia with Ted - such a brilliant gentleman / he was taking a plane full of students.
Teasing and laughing with Ted was part of our routine. I am sure he knew he was very special to me, my family and all the gang at AETN. No one who ever knew him just LIKED him, you grew to LOVE him.
Ted -- oh how I shall miss seeing him behind the big floor cameras or sharing a meal or him teasing me about my adoration of Pavarotti. He was a good, very good man.
Mike Blakely
Friday, November 7, 2014
Our condolences to Ted's family. He will be missed. He was such a big supporter of the Little Rock Zoo and the Docents. We certainly appreciate all that he has done for the Zoo.
Kellene Storey
Friday, November 7, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the family. Ted will be missed. I volunteer at the Zoo where I met him.
Carla Collette
Thursday, November 6, 2014
I met Ted Bailey not long ago - about three years back when I became Curator of Education at the Little Rock Zoo. I knew the moment I met him that he was an interesting and intellectual person but with no pretense. I had no idea though how much he would impact my short time in Little Rock. The first time we spoke was after my inaugural Docent monthly meeting and what was initially I'm sure was to be just a quick welcome - turned in to the most delightful hour long conversation I think I've ever had with a new acquaintance. That amazing conversation led to many more compelling discussions over lunches and to a friendship I will always cherish. I already missed talking over lunch with Ted since I moved to Dallas but now the missing has turned to feelings of deep loss! Thank you Ted for coming into my life and being such a wonderful positive part of it - I will always remember you!!!
Kenley Money
Thursday, November 6, 2014
My husband, Ash, and I held ASO season tickets for several years. Ted, too, held season tickets - rather, a single ticket in the middle of the first row. We spent many an enjoyable symphony evening either sitting by Ted (in borrowed seats) or looking at the top of his head from our seats in the mezzanine. He was passionate about the symphony. He LOVED being close to the guest artists while they performed, watching their faces as they concentrated on the music. He sat in just the right place so the stage lights on the guest performers illuminated him, too. We will miss him very much.
Sherry L. Wiley
Thursday, November 6, 2014
I met Ted about twenty years ago when I started dating my now husband, Ben Wiley. Ted and Ben had been friends for many years. They had traveled around the world together. They had also taken trips together to various parts of the country. Shortly after Ben and I met, he and Ted took a trip to Alaska. The Alaska trip was Ben's last trip outside of the mainland. Ted continued to travel the world. The three of us would make monthly trips to Memphis and Tulsa to attend the ballet and the opera. Every December we took trips to Memphis and Tulsa to attend performances of the "Nutcracker". We attended performances of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. We attended productions at "Wildwood". We attended lectures at The Clinton School for Public Service. The thing I will miss most is lunch together after church every Sunday. The three of us would sit for hours and hours discussing various topics. We would talk for hours about current events, politics,classical music and PBS programs such as "Downton Abbey", "Masterpiece", "Masterpiece Mystery. The three of us also shared a love for the British comedies such as "Doc Martin, "Keeping Up Appearances", Are You Being Served" and "Last of the Summer Wine". Sunday afternoons will never be the same. Ted will be immensely missed.
Ben Wiley
Thursday, November 6, 2014
How does one describe the loss of a person like Ted? He has been the most generous, humorous, smart (and sharp), well-informed, helpful person I have ever met. Ted was well versed in “scripture”, but even more so was a deeply spiritual and loving person. All this has had great influence on many.
After God and my wife, Sherry, Ted has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. The two of us shared numerous long meals, varied (including international) trips, long conversations, many projects, and let us not forget Dr. Who and the many ballets, operas, etc. We also shared much time with my parents over meals, conversations, and projects, and sometimes he would visit them without me. Ted was best man at our wedding, then Sherry joined us to share meals, ballets, operas, conversations, etc… He loved and spent much time with my parents, and then made my mother feel special by spending time with her after we lost my father. He stayed with both of my parents as they left this world when I could not. Four of us (even I had courage this time) were able to be with him as he left this world so he would not have to be alone. We, and I, love him dearly, and miss him greatly.
Joel C. Ewing
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Ted and I were next-door-office neighbors for three years when we were both teaching in the Comp Sci Department at OSU, at that time known by his middle name "Eugene". From 1975 - 1978 I enjoyed his conversations, counsel, and frequent company at lunch. After keeping in touch for a number of years, I lost track of him for about 20 years, but just by chance re-found him on the Internet in March of this year. While he was driving to Tulsa, we managed to meet for lunch in Springdale, and before we realized it had spent over five hours in pleasant conversation "catching up" and finding we now even shared the same religious denomination and political views. He will be missed.
Robert Wofford
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Dr. (Ted) Bailey was a very dear friend who helped shape my life in multiple ways. First as being a better Christian and secondly, my life's vocation as a Business Professor. Ted was a personal mentor who will be missed greatly for he had a profound influence on the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed by all!
Sincerely,
Robert Wofford
Don Sloat
Thursday, November 6, 2014
"May tender memories soften your grief,
May fond recollection bring you relief,
And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought...
For time and space can never divide
Or keep your loved one from your side.
When memory paints in colors true,
the happy hours that belonged to you."
--Helen Steiner Rice
I are at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. I enjoyed knowing Ted.
Don Sloat
Kent Douglas
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
I'm saddened to hear of Ted's passing. Though we didn't have much contact the past few years, Ted was a dear friend to me for many years. He was a kind, sweet, honest man. He gave me a helping hand when no one else would, which I will never forget. To his family and friends, I share in your grief.
Melynda Hardin
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
My condolences to Ted's family. Always such a polite man...