Thomas Bailey

Thomas Edward “Tom” Bailey, 82, disembarked his final train and is home with the Lord as of March 6, 2024. A giant of a man with an equally giant heart, Tom will be greatly missed by all his far-flung family and friends.

Tom loved his family, trains, trolleys, music, history, traveling, the US Air Force, cats, and strawberry ice cream. His lifelong obsession with trains began as a toddler and was expressed through layouts, outdoor train sets, photography, and more. He taught himself to play the guitar and banjo. Later teaching lessons and even forming a folk-band with his wife and best friend. He was a lifelong church goer and sang in choirs wherever he lived. If you didn’t know him through work, church, or hobby groups, you likely knew him through community service or music.

Tom graduated from the University of Michigan in 1965 and was commissioned into the US Air Force. While on his first assignment in Athens, Greece, he met and married the boss’s daughter. He spent 30 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves before retiring with the rank of Colonel. Post active duty, he worked for various defense companies as a proposal writer, editor, and manager before civilian retirement.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Suzanne; children, Peter, Rick, and Anne; seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, his brother, Jack, sister, Deborah, a 70-year-old train collection, and a 130-year-old banjo.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Evelyn Bailey, his brother, Walt Bailey, Jr., and infant granddaughter, Lucy Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church Lockhart-Burkett Fund, or a charity of your choice.

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