Dr. Fred Bailey

Dr. Fred Bailey believed there was great virtue in a good education, a good family and a good community. Well educated and strong willed, he worked hard to care for his beloved family, but he was also passionate about helping low income students get a good education. Husband, father, educator, citizen – Fred fulfilled every one of those roles with conviction, love and honor.

The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the village of Constantine, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of William C. and Elizabeth (Pidgeon) Bailey. William owned and operated a hardware store in town, while Elizabeth tended to their home. The couple always longed for a family of their own, so at the age of 40, Elizabeth underwent an operation to help them conceive. It wasn’t long before they got the great news that they would soon be parents. On November 22, 1923, William and Elizabeth delighted in welcoming the birth of their son, Frederick Sidney, who was born with the assistance of a midwife in a house that was used as a hospital.

Fred enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in their family farm, where they raised chickens and turkeys. With the St. Joe River practically in his backyard, he enjoyed many afternoons fishing and swimming in the River. From an early age, Fred’s parents instilled in him the value of an education and made sure he did his best academically. Fred received his education in the Constantine Public Schools, where he also played trumpet in the school band and graduated in 1941.

Shortly after graduation, Fred enrolled in classes at International Business College in Ft. Wayne, IN. However, in 1943, he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army and honorably served his country until 1946 when his father died and he came home to be with his mother. Thereafter, Fred returned to International Business College for a refresher program and then transferred to Western Michigan University in September of 1946. He graduated in June of 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Michigan Secondary Teaching Certificate. Between 1950 and 1952 Fred taught commercial subjects at Parma Union High School, 1952-53 he taught business and social studies at Schoolcraft High School, 1953-54 taught business, speech, and social studies at Burr Oak High School which is where he served as principal. But Fred wasn’t all just about his studies and teaching, for he had met a lovely young lady named Marilyn Jane French on campus and a wonderful relationship had blossomed between them. And the two were married on November 26, 1952, in Marilyn’s parents’ home in Niles.

After saying “I do”, the newlyweds settled into married life together in Battle Creek for a while before moving to Kalamazoo. They then spent eight years living in Muskegon before returning to the Kalamazoo area for good. During this time, Fred and Marilyn welcomed the births of two daughters, Marcia and Sara, who brought them great joy. On the work front, Fred, joined the faculty of Western Michigan University in January of 1958 and served as the first off-campus extension center Director with the office in the Muskegon area. While in Muskegon, he received the Jonathan Walker Award from the Muskegon Urban League and a special service award of the Adult Education Association of Muskegon in 1965 for work in community development and race relations. Despite the busyness of a family and work, Fred also attended Michigan State University to complete his Doctorate in Philosophy in the area of Adult and Higher Education. His thesis topic was, A Study of the Attitudes and Opinions of Students, Faculty, and Administrators toward Off-Campus University Credit Courses. Upon graduating, he became a Professor at Western Michigan University, wherein he taught in the Business/Teaching Department and Psychology Department. Fred was instrumental in helping many low income students get an education through the UPWARD BOUND program. Fred was dedicated to WMU for 28 years, a career he was truly passionate about until retiring in 1986.

Fred had many interests to keep him busy. Always active, he enjoyed golfing, downhill skiing, bowling on several leagues, shooting pool as well as playing ping pong. And although he was retired, Fred never stopped being a strong advocate for education and wrote many Letters to the Editor voicing his opinions. He was also a member of the Urban League of Greater Muskegon and held many meetings in conjunction with his job. Above all, though, Fred loved nothing more than spending time with his family. He and Marilyn were quite a pair – they were both fantastic dancers, and great debaters, especially when it came to politics since Fred was a Democrat and Marilyn was a Republican. In their quieter moments, they enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk and Carol Burnett together, or the musicals My Fair Lady and Oklahoma. As a father, Fred was very active and attentive with his daughters. He enjoyed teaching them to play softball and kickball, and be good card sharks. He even mowed his yard to make a baseball and football field for the neighborhood kids to use, and offered swimming lessons in their pool. Fred adored creatures of the four-legged kind too, and they usually had a dog or cat running around the house. He liked to put food out in the woods behind the house for the deer too.

About eight years ago, Fred was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and was being cared for at Park Place Assisted Living. After just celebrating his 84th birthday on Thanksgiving Day, Fred died on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. All who knew and loved Fred will treasure his memory.

Dr. Fred Bailey will receive Military Honors on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 11:00 AM at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton. Following the burial, learn more about Fred, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family and friends at an open house from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900, where refreshments will be served. Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn (French) Bailey, in 2000. His family includes two daughters: Marcia (Kevin) Charkowski of Mattawan, and Sara (Ted) Butala of York, PA; and five grandchildren: Kyle and Keenan Charkowski, and Chase, Daniel and Brian Butala. Please visit Fred’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or photo of Fred or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.