Douglas James Bailey, Sr.

Douglas (Doug) James Bailey, Sr., 66, of Pahrump, Nevada, passed away on December 26, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Doug was born on July 19, 1958 in Paw Paw, Michigan to the late James and Zella (Daisy) Bailey. They relocated to Utah with his fathers job when he was a teen. On August 20, 1977 he married Valinda Higley, and had two children, Corinne and DJ. They were later divorced. On August 5, 1984 he married Tammy Ingersoll, and had one son, Ryan. They were later divorced. On September 20, 1990 he married Wanda Shockley, with whom he had no biological children, but he gained a bonus son, Eric

Doug and Wanda moved to Pahrump, Nevada in 2015, where he lived the rest of his life.

His greatest joys in life ranged from riding dirt bikes, building dune buggies, going to the sand dunes, going on Harley rallies and bike rides. As well as spending quality time with his family. He loved relaxing and watching TV, especially anything car related, and most recently NFL and college football games. He also loved spending time with all of his beloved dogs, and cats.

He worked very hard for his entire life, operating heavy machinery in the field of construction, very talented in flawlessly pouring concrete, as well as endless hours of snow removal in the winter months.

He is preceded in death, by both of his parents, and his two sisters, Sandy and Debbie. As well as many in-law relatives.

He is survived by his wife- Wanda. Children- Eric Shockley, Corinne (Jason) Parry, Douglas (DJ) James Bailey Jr, and Ryan (Heba) Bailey. 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. As well as nieces, nephews, and other distant relatives, in-laws, and friends.

His kids have chosen to speak from their hearts in their own words about their father.

From Ryan:

I have never experienced this feeling of losing a parent. I was nowhere prepared in life to lose my father. He was still so young.

When I was very young I felt a similar way of loss many times because I was often shoveled off to the next person. Every couple of years I would be dropped off to one parent or the other…Or a grandparent or an auntie. Weeks or months or years would pass before I would see or hear from either my father or my mother. It hurt then. It felt permanent then. It was confusing and painful for a child to experience. I felt loss, and I felt lonely.

Over the past couple of decades my father and I have created a bond that extends beyond my childhood experiences. It’s ironic how close we had become despite our physical distance over the past 20+ years. We grew closer and bonded more and more after I left my hometown, and that connection intensified deeply over twenty years.

I grew up knowing that my dad loved me very much. I know that he was proud of me (and I know he still is). Eventually he apologized for the confusion and the distance and gave me very detailed reasons to explaining himself and his actions. I forgave him and I loved him more than ever.

Now, I sit here hearing his voice and his laugh in my head like an echo, and I’m driven to tears because I realize that those echoes are the only moments I will ever hear him speak again. Days after his passing I scoured my voicemails in hopes that I had maybe saved a message from a missed call, praying that I could just hear him say something like “Hey buddy, it’s Dad. Give me a call back when you get a chance, k? Love you Ryan.”.

But I did not save the voicemails…and I did not screenshot the Facetimes…and I did not call him Christmas morning because he said to call later in the day…but that call never happened because when I tried to reach him he was already asleep…And the next day he had passed away.

I cry over pictures of us taken forever ago. Yes, during times that I felt abandonment. But I cry over loss not anger.

I wasn’t aware that he had a stroke earlier, in 2024, and I wasn’t aware that he had been ill leading up to his passing. I wish that I would’ve have made the decision to spend more time with him later in life.

Finding out that my dad passed away had been single-handedly the saddest moment of my life. It was so sudden and he was so young still. Some people have said that it was expected because he had been ill. They say that he was withholding information from us about his health to keep us from worrying. I know my father would have, at the very least, attempted to say goodbye to me had he been that sick. I hope he would have. But he did not. So I cry and I cry and I cry.

Lastly, It absolutely breaks my heart that my father and my son never had the chance to meet each other in person. My dad loved Zia so much and it is the saddest thing ever to me that he did not have the chance to see his grandson face to face. So many times throughout my days I take a photograph and want to share it with dad. I am slowly learning that I cannot do that anymore.

I will forever be reminded of my father in so many ways everyday of my life. I will never see a Harley or a badass Chevy pickup truck without thinking of him. I will always look at broccoli or green beans and be reminded that he was “allergic” to green vegetables. I will tell Zia how amazing his grandfather was. I will tell him so so sooooo many great stories.

We are celebrating dad and remembering him in positivity and love. We know that he is now reunited with his sisters and his parents, and about a dozen dogs…. And a few cats. I know in my heart that he is happy wherever he is and that he watches over our family. I love you and miss you dad. ❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️

From DJ:

In Loving Memory of My Father

My dad was a man who understood the true essence of creativity and always nurtured it in me. He taught me that imagination was not just for artists or dreamers—it was a tool for problem-solving, a way to navigate life. Whether we were building something from scratch, fixing something broken, or just dreaming up new possibilities, his mind was always open to exploring what could be. He showed me that there was no limit to what could be created if you approached the world with curiosity and an open heart.

Beyond his inventive spirit, my dad was a master of hands-on wisdom. He could build, fix, or transform anything with his hands. But more importantly, he taught me the value of patience and persistence. I remember countless hours spent together in the workshop, learning the importance of seeing a project through, no matter how challenging it became. It wasn’t just about the end result—it was about the process, the learning, and the joy of doing something with your hands.

But above all, my dad taught me what it truly meant to be a great father. He showed me through his actions what love, sacrifice, and care look like in their purest form. He wasn’t just a provider, but a teacher, a listener, and a constant source of guidance and support. His example shaped my understanding of fatherhood and has inspired me to always be present, patient, and understanding with my own children, just as he was with me.

In everything he did, my dad left an indelible mark on my heart. His lessons are a part of me now, guiding me through every challenge, every new project, and every moment as a father. I am who I am because of him, and I will carry his wisdom with me always.

Love Douglas (DJ) James Bailey JR.

From Corinne:

What can I say about my dad? I always felt safest whenever I was with him. If my dad was around when I was a little girl, I knew that it was my safe space, and nothing bad could come to me.

He wasn't much for being sentimental (pretty sure he got that from gramps, and then passed on to me) BUT when he was speaking from the heart, you knew he really meant it. Some of my greatest memories with him growing up were spending time watching MTV (you know, way back when it played music videos still!). Watching Nascar, and becoming a huge Dale Earnhardt fan just because my dad loved him so much. He is the reason for my love and obsession for Chevys, and learning about the makes and models of all cars.

Spending SO many weekends at the sand dunes with him, on the sand rails that he would build from top to bottom. I didn't know until later in my life that my dad wanted to be an architect growing up. Which explained his huge passion for building things. His garage was his happy place. From welding a small bathroom shelf for his wife. To building dune buggies. To building bike lifts for Harleys. If you gave him an idea that man would put pen to paper, make sure the calculations were JUST right, and next thing you knew, your idea was a reality. He was so incredibly intelligent. Spending so many nights with him in the garage and watching him work on whatever project he was into at the time, was also a favorite pastime of mine. Whether I sat quietly. Held a flashlight. Or searched for a tool that I had no idea what I was looking for. Haha, yes he would grow impatient and eventually come and show me what he was looking for. But I know so much about tools and building engines and fixing things, all thanks to that time that I spent with him out in that silly garage. Little did I know that it would be become some of my favorite memories with dad. Second, only, to sitting next to him in his dune buggy, and hauling ass! The most freeing and exciting adrenaline rush and watching him smile and laugh the entire time when he pulled off a sick trick, or made it over the top of the mountain the first time he took me up Big Sand Mountain at Jericho. He taught me to drive a stick in his dune buggy, almost 2 full years before I would ever be able to drive an actual car on the road. And raising me on dirt bikes, and four wheelers. What a ride!

Every person that my dad knew always spoke so highly of him. He was a good human that was happy to help out a neighbor and a friend, and he always did it with a smile on his face, and lots of laughter.

One of my greatest memories of my dad was him holding his first born grandchild, my son, right after he was born. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, seeing the joy and love in his eyes. He and my son, Austin, shared a very special bond over the years and Austin was lucky enough to live close to his grandpa for the first 15 years of his life, so they were extremely close.

As I became an adult, my dad became my friend. One of my best friends. We talked about everything under the sun, and he always knew if he needed to chat, he could call me anytime. Regardless or how silly, or serious it might be. Always and forever- I would say, when he unnecessarily thanked me for our conversation. Because thats what family is. ALWAYS AND FOREVER. We talked about serious stuff sure, but also his most recent passion for the NFL- more specifically the Las Vegas Raiders. We would watch the games together even though we were 8 hours apart. And text the entire game. Celebrating their wins, and cursing their losses. And of course we would always brag about our dogs to one another. We both greatly share a love for dogs.

Whether we had SO much to say, or just saying good morning and a goodnight, my dad and I talked every single day. And I will forever be so grateful for those texts and calls.

My brothers and I are now, and will forever be grateful for the man we got to call dad! And he is forever our guardian angel now.

I love you ALWAYS AND FOREVER, Dad.

Our father had chosen to not have any kind of services, and we are honoring that.

We love you, dad. Just Win Baby! 

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