Ray E. Bailey

Ray E. Bailey, 71, of Gainesville died Thursday August 26, 2010 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a sudden illness.
Born March 10, 1939 in Dawson County to the late P. E. and Cora Bailey, he had lived in Hall County for 45 years. Mr. Bailey was a graduate of Dawson County High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia. He owned and operated a poultry and cattle farm and raised and trained Border Collies with which he participated in Herding Competitions. Ray was an avid sportsman and played basketball at the high school, college and Industrial League levels. He was a member of Harmony Hall Baptist Church and was very devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren.
Surviving are his children, Doug Bailey, Athens, Cheryl and Jim Hoggard, Gainesville; companion, Pat Floyd, Gainesville; brothers and sisters in law, Carl and Sue Bailey, Dawsonville, Hubert and Mary Bailey, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Ross Bailey, Caden Bailey, Davis Bailey, Patrick Hoggard, Emily Hoggard and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday August 29, 2010 at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. John Kinsey and Rev. Jad Denmark will officiate. Interment will follow in the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends after 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 86 Fletcher Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533.
Condolences may be sent to www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Posted on Fri, August 27, 2010 by Ted Bearden

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30 comments (Add your own)

1. Rick Keller wrote:: Ray Bailey will be dearly missed by family, numerous friends, many good dogs, and I. His sudden death came as a shock.

May he rest in peace.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 3:13 PM
2. Terri Smith wrote:: Ray will be sorely missed. He was truly one of the kindest , most helpful people I've ever met. i always looked forward to seeing him.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 4:56 PM
3. Gayle Richardson wrote:: Ray Bailey was one of the nicest people I have ever known, He always had a kind word. I was so saddened to hear of his death. My first thought was that I would never see Ray at a dog trial again, and that really hurt.

My sincerest condolences to his family.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 6:31 PM
4. Christine Henry wrote:: I was so sorry to hear of Ray's sudden passing. It was always so wonderful to see he and Pat at dog trials, both with smiles on their faces and always so warm and friendly. Ray will be very much missed. Prayers and thoughts to the entire family.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 6:45 PM
5. Jennifer Maginnis wrote:: Ray was always a smiling face at dog trials.He also told some great stories about "the good ol days".Ray has left this life for a better one,but we will miss him all the same.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 6:52 PM
6. Mark Ireland wrote:: You knew Ray would be your friend the minute you met him. A true gentleman, honest ,friendly,caring, and a real honor to be his friend.

Your free Ray maybe we will meet again someday.
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 8:45 PM
7. Sherry Farster wrote:: Ray always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. I will miss that smile, his wit, and the compassion he always showed to others. The world will be an emptier place without Ray in it. Our loss is without a doubt heaven's gain. My deepest condolences go out to his family and Pat over their loss. Save all of us a place Ray. Until we meet again...
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 9:07 PM
8. Patrick Gallagher wrote:: I got to know Ray this year while Trialing in Ga. At my first trial I was walking around surely looking lost!, This tall thin man walked up to me and introduced himself as Ray Bailey. The next 45 minutes was spent talking with Ray. He made me feel right at home. Over the next few months I was able to sit and talk with Ray and Pat and truly grew to enjoy the time I was able to spend with them! Ray had invited me to stop by his place and work dogs and I was looking forward to doing that this year. Ray you will truly be missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Bailey family.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Bailey family
Fri, August 27, 2010 @ 9:37 PM
9. Amy Ferguson wrote:: Cheryl- My mom told me about your father. I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for you and for your kids. My mom thinks a lot of you and we will both be praying for your family. God bless you. ~Amy Ferguson
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 12:52 AM
10. Joyce Eddy wrote:: Please know that caring thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with the Bailey family. Ray & Pat always made a person welcome at a trial. God Bless
Joyce Eddy
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 8:50 AM
11. Norma Stewart wrote:: I'm so sorry for the loss of such a great man. One of my favorite friends, funny, quick witted and always able to get a laugh out of me. We had such good times at the cattle and sheep trials and it was always a time I looked forward to...visiting with Ray and Pat.
Tony and I send our deepest sympathies to the family.
Norma Stewart
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 10:55 AM
12. kelley kingsland wrote:: Ray Bailey....One of the kindess warm hearted, funny, people I ever met. He always made me smile. He gave me much confidence on and off the trial field. He and I sorta competed against each other in a fun way. He would always say we can beat these advanced handlers, they ain't got nothin on us. He always new what to say when I had a bad run.
He and Pat are the main reasons I would travel all the way to Georgia for a trial. They treated me like family. He will be deeply missed!!! Trialing wil never be the same for me!!

I will see you again my friend and we will still beat the pants off the advance handlers!!!!
kelley
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 11:36 AM
13. Gala (Thomas) Sheats wrote:: To my school friend Cheryl I want to tell you that I always loved Mr. Ray. He was a fun coach when we played ball for Tadmore. Even though I have not seen him in years I still remember his wonderful smile. I know you are going to miss him so we pray that God confront your souls. I invite you to read Psalms 121.

I love you and I am praying for you and your family.

Gala(Thomas) Sheats
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 1:05 PM
14. Michelle(Young)Morrison wrote:: Cheryl,

I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about your father. I know you will miss him but we know that God does not make mistakes. The memories you have of him will actually come to life in your heart.

Love ya,

michelle
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 2:18 PM
15. Malcolm & Eileen Williams wrote:: We were shocked and saddened to hear the news of Ray's sudden death. He was always so welcoming and friendly. He will be missed. Our sympathy goes to his friends and family.
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 4:03 PM
16. Jimmy Langston & Jack obryant wrote:: We are sorry to hear of Ray's passing jusst know that we will be praying for you
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 4:10 PM
17. Allen/Sharon Hickenbottom wrote:: Ray will be sadly missed by all who knew him - Ray's passing has left handlers with a loss not easily replaced - I will miss the fellowship and competitiveness we shared each year at Moultrie, GA.
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 8:08 PM
18. Cathy Nelson wrote:: The first time I spoke to Ray after my husband started dog trialing I told him he was my second favorite man in the whole world. It was just a funny way of telling him how much I loved our first Border collie that he had sold us 20 years earlier. But after I got to know him better it became mostly true. He was one of the kindest, funniest men I think I ever knew and Aubrey and I would always be eager to see him and Pat at the trials. I always tried to put my chair near theirs while I watched so I could hear his stories. I cannot believe he is gone. Aubrey and I will miss him.
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 10:24 PM
19. Roland and Vivian Smith wrote:: Pat and Ray's Family:
We were so sorry to hear of Ray's passing. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Sat, August 28, 2010 @ 10:27 PM
20. Don Elrod wrote:: I first met Ray when we attended Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland. I knew him as a friend and a gentleman who made a lasting impression on so many of our classmates. Ray's kindness and warm, gentle smile made it so easy and enjoyable to be around him. I look forward to seeing him again in our eternal home in Heaven! God bless you dear family and I pray that His spirit will bring you that peace that passeth all understanding.
Sun, August 29, 2010 @ 12:29 AM
21. Jerry and Danelle Griffin wrote:: We were shocked and deeply hurt at Ray's passing. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, community and on the herding field. Ray was a kind spirit, he was loved by all who knew him. I am sure the first thing Ray received when he crossed into heaven was a shepherd's crook, a large grassy field, and a herd of sheep and cattle. I have no doubt, Zip was patiently waiting for him, and they are together again, a team on the herding fields of heaven. We were proud to call Ray friend.
Sun, August 29, 2010 @ 7:53 AM
22. Mary Alice Smith and Buren Smith wrote:: Dad and I were very saddened to hear of Ray's passing. We have fond memories of good times at dog trials and when visiting with Ray and Pat at Ray's farm. Our hearts and prayers are with Pat and Ray's family. We will surely miss his friendly smile and wonderful friendship.
Mary Alice Smith and Buren Smith
Sun, August 29, 2010 @ 4:44 PM
23. Dawn & Jason Boyce wrote:: It is hard to say much more than has already been said, but Jason & I will greatly miss Ray at the trials. He was a great competitor and a good person. You always wanted to put your chair next to his because he was sure to make you smile. It is our loss and heaven's gain.

Dawn
Sun, August 29, 2010 @ 9:40 PM
24. Jim and Sue Gittens wrote:: We were so sorry to hear about Ray's death. We did not know until Sunday but will keep the family in our prayers.
Mon, August 30, 2010 @ 9:57 AM
25. David Saunders wrote:: So sorry and saddened to hear of Ray's death. He will be truly missed by all
that had the joy of spending time with him.
Mon, August 30, 2010 @ 10:20 PM
26. Midge and Lou Wolf wrote:: Ray Bailey--neighbor, friend, fellow lover of good dogs. A great loss for our community. We join countless others in sending condolences to the family.
Tue, August 31, 2010 @ 2:33 PM
27. Judith Kelly wrote:: Ray was the skinniest dude with the biggest laugh I ever did hear, his presence around the trials was always a welcome sight.; He was a good handler, a good trainer, and brought out the best in his dogs and the people around him.
I am left with a sad feeling knowing that the last time I saw him was earlier this year at Windy hill, he will be truely missed.
My heartfelt condolences and prayers go to his family and Pat at this time.
judith kelly Asher-Dell farm Fl
Thu, September 2, 2010 @ 3:01 PM
28. BOBBY FORD wrote:: PAT,
ALL I CAN SAY, IS ,THAT IT WAS A JOY TO HAVE KNOWN RAY BAILEY. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM . I AM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

BOB FORD
Fri, September 3, 2010 @ 4:20 PM
29. Susan Cobb wrote:: I just found out about Ray's passing and was so sad to know that I won't see him again at any Border Collie gatherings! He was always easy to talk with and ready to offer a kind word of encouragement. I think he loved the people as much as he loved the dogs. Prayers for his family's comfort-sorry I couldn't be at the funeral. It was an honor to have known him. Love to you all!
Susan Cobb
Sat, September 11, 2010 @ 11:19 PM
30. marie k. burt wrote:: Pat:

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It doesn't seem fair for you to lose another one.

Marie
Fri, September 24, 2010 @ 12:27 PM

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