Donald Bailey

Donald Lee "Don" Bailey, 80, of Mineral Wells, died peacefully early on the morning of August 1, 2010 in Weatherford. He had struggled valiantly for eleven years with the aftermath of a stroke. Service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 4, at First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells with Dr. Mark A. Bumpus and Rev. Nathan Buchannan officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rene James, Tim Jones, Randy Leek, B. L. Miller, Eric Smith, Jim Smith, Reggie Stone and Ken Williams, and the honorary pallbearers will be Mack Brown, Paul Hoey, Jim McGregor, W. R. Miller, John Moore, Gary Murph, Robert Murray, Warren Pruitt, Dr. Tim Tarkenton, Dr. Tom Tarkenton, Jose DeLeon, Phil Nelson and Troy Thornton. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3 at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home. Don was born August 20, 1929, in Greenville, Illinois, the son of Wendell Bailey and Elizabeth Gabbert Bailey. He grew up in Brazil, Indiana; and graduated from Brazil High School in 1947. After serving in the Navy, he attended Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute, (IN) graduating in 1956. On December 10, 1965, he married Marjorie Cranford Pirkle. He moved to Mineral Wells in 1957, and spent his entire professional career at Can-Tex Industries, retiring in 1992 as Vice President of Industrial Relations. He was a member of First Baptist Church and was very active in the community, including serving on the City Council, the Industrial Foundation, United Way, and Chamber of Commerce. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, and had perfect attendance for thirty-five years. Don is survived by his wife, Marjorie Bailey; daughter, Melanie Leek, of Weatherford, sons, Kevin Pirkle of Weatherford and Larry Pirkle of Houston; grandchildren, Jordan Bailey, Caleb, Reagan and Hailey Pirkle, and Jeremy Ramsey and wife, Trish; sister, Patricia Northey and husband, Walter, of Meyerstown, Pennsylvania; aunt, Gladys Crabb (and) uncle, Bill Lynch, both of Brazil, Indiana; nieces, nephews and numerous cousins, including David Bailey of Mineral Wells. Don was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Lindsey Leek, his parents, brother and one sister. Special thanks go to all the staff at College Park Rehabilitation and Care Center in Weatherford for their excellent care.