Tribute to RD Bailey

On August 2, 2022 @ 5:59 a.m., RD “Big Dad” Bailey passed away at 86 years of age, in his home at Frisco Texas, surrounded by his immediate family. His memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, 20 August 2022 at:

Stonebriar Community Church

4801 Legendary Drive, Frisco, Texas 75034

(469) 252-5377

Pastor Nathan Kocurek will conduct the service, assisted by Funeral Coordinator Marsha Hammock.

RD was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, sister and his father-in-law and mother-in-law (whom he treasured and cared for, as his true Parents: Guy and Bessie McCoy).

He is survived by his faithful wife (Betty Marie McCoy Bailey) and his three sons (Mike, Mark and Mitch), four granddaughters (Sarah Price, Katy Bailey, Ashlynne Bailey, Lacie Bailey), one grandson (Landry Bailey) and two great grandsons (David Price, Walter Price).

RD was a man of Christian Faith, a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Successful Businessman, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Farmer, Rancher and general Student of Life.

The son of Edward LeRoy Bailey and Iva Almo Bailey, RD was born in Clovis, New Mexico at Lancaster Clinic in Curry County on January 26, 1936. He resided with his parents, two brothers (Robert Elwood, Franklin Delano), and one sister (Twylah) in the little town of Broadview New Mexico, until the age of 4 or 5 when his Mamma passed away. He then moved with his two youngest siblings to the Baptist Children’s Home in Portales, New Mexico (which was a working Dairy Farm).

RD graduated from: Portales Central Grade School, Portales High School (in May 25, 1954), and the University of New Mexico (Bachelor of Physical Education, with Teaching Certificate). He excelled in football, basketball, softball and track (pole vaulting). He later enjoyed a few years of golf (he often quipped “regarding golf, I shoot in the mid-70’s… if it’s any hotter than that, I don’t care to play”).

He had his first knee operation in grade school, his second in high school and a third in college (after damaging his knees on scholarship with the Lobos football team). In later years, he had both legs operated on simultaneously. The severe nature of his physical injuries prevented him from achieving his goal of serving his country in the military, but he maintained respect for all who served, and always loved his country.

RD married his high school sweetheart, the beautiful Betty Marie McCoy on July 2, 1954 in Portales (at the time they were both 18 years old, and recently celebrated 68 years of marriage, the month before he passed away). Both Betty and RD came from extremely humble financial backgrounds.

At one point, RD worked for Coyan Purdy Furniture Store, but not on furniture… he maintained equipment made by DeLal Milking. Betty and RD did not have phone service, but were often summoned by the Coyan Purdy owner knocking on their door at 3a to go on a service call to a dairy farmer in need.

After losing his scholarship due to his injury, he and Betty Marie worked many jobs to achieve his degree from UNM. At one time RD carried a full load at UNM, worked 40 hours a week for Mountain States Investment Corporation, threw a paper route in the morning and worked at a service station on weekends. If they needed additional income, they picked-up coke bottles on the side of the road (in their spare time).

RD started his career at Mountain States Investment Corporation as a “mail boy”, then worked his way up to Vice President, during which he applied and was accepted to UNM Law School three times. Later deciding not to attend law school, he elected instead to accept a management role at Mountain States Investment Corporation’s newly formed El Paso, Texas division.

RD was tireless and driven towards innovation plus excellence in business. After leaving Mountain States, he went on to found and operate many organizations in agriculture, construction, real estate, commodities, oil & gas and finance/banking. He also bought the first commercially available desktop computer, taught himself the programming language then wrote commodity trading and agri-land management programs that guided his decisions successfully, for many years thereafter.

Among his many accomplishments:

• Americana Homes and Cabinet Shop (El Paso)

• President of the El Paso Homebuilders Association

• Fortune 500 Home Builder (building 350 houses per year in 3 states: TX, NM, AZ)

• Bailey & Ward Homes (Residential builder)

• Bailey & Ward General Contractor (Commercial buildings)

• Bailey & Ward Realty

• Bailey Oil & Gas Drilling, LLC

• ABC Commodities Trading

• Dell-Tex Angus Farms

• 3M Cattle Company (the three M’s stood for his sons: Mike, Mark & Mitch)

• Tuff-Troff Manufacturing

• Oklahoma Rancher of the Year (multiple times)

• Americana Homes (Oklahoma… he started this business in his 70’s)

• The Original Pancake House - DFW

RD & Betty have been members of:

• Trinity United Methodist Church (El Paso TX)

• Grace Methodist Church (El Paso TX)

• Liberty Baptist Church (Shawnee OK)

• Stonebriar Community Church (Frisco TX)

At the ripe age of 47 years old, RD sold 7 companies and retired comfortably… he moved his Family to Oklahoma and for the next 30 years, retreated to his true passion of ranching, farming, horses and cattle.

RD Bailey was the architect not only of businesses and various gadgets/machinery, but designed and laid the foundations of selfless love that will span many generations to come, LORD willing. He touched and inspired many lives. His family grieves his loss and celebrates his change of address to dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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