Obituary of Tomie Cook Bailey

Tomie “Tom” Cook Bailey, 72, passed away Monday, January 4, 2016. He is preceded in death by his parents, L.T. and Mary Bailey; and brother, Jack Gibson. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Bettie Bailey; son, Mark Bailey and wife, Brandy; daughters, Mary Bethany Garcia and husband, Rick, Rebecca Brundage and husband, Robert, Deborah Barron; sister-in-law, Jane Gibson; grandchildren, Joshua, Caleb, David and Jonathan Garcia, Benjamin Bailey, Abigail and Claire Brundage; and a host of other family and friends. After graduating from University of Houston with a Bachelor and Master’s degree, Tom taught 8th grade History at Stovall Junior High for the following five years. He then pursued a successful career as a professional photographer for 40 years. Tom loved to travel and especially loved going on cruises. His most recent cruise was to New England and Canada to see the fall foliage, and last May he traveled to the Western Caribbean with his entire family. All told, he and Bettie took 16 cruises throughout their life together. Tom was known as the “candy man” at his church where he loved to pass out sugar and sugar free sweets. He never met a stranger and had a wonderful gift of making others laugh and feel at ease. Tom Bailey never had to re-introduce himself. Because of his vibrant, magnetic personality, he was forever remembered by everyone who met him. Tom made it a habit of always thinking of others and extending a helping hand. He was affectionately known as “Pa Pa” to his grandchildren, and his family was the most important part of his life. Tom will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s honor to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org. A visitation for Tom will be held Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the chapel at Champions Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner Airline Rd., Houston Texas 77069. A graveside service with military honors will take place Friday, January 8, 2016 at 10:30 am at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. Following the graveside, a memorial service will take place at 12:00 pm at the chapel at Champions Forest Baptist Church.