![David George "Dave" Bailey: 1947-2015](http://ama-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/15010707.jpg "David George "Dave" Bailey: 1947-2015")
David George “Dave” Bailey, 68, died peacefully and surrounded by love and family on Monday, December 21, 2015. Dave was born in Little Rock, AR, on July 30, 1947 to Walton W. and Betty George Bailey, and grew up in Fort Worth and Pampa, TX. He was incredibly involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a young man, became an Eagle Scout in 1960, and utilized his skills on summer staff at Philmont Scout Ranch. Already an accomplished Native American craftsman, he joined the Kwahadi Dancers as a college student and was elected to the Chief’s Council. These affiliations led to a lifelong career as an Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, and a passion for Native American people, ways, and craft. Dave furthered these interests as Museum Director for the Koshare Indian Museum in La Junta, CO, and more recently, as a member of the Lone Star War Dance Society. Dave placed great value in friendship and community, and took pride in his 40 years of perfect attendance as a dedicated Rotarian. He was truly a “Living Historian”, and participated in historical education and reenactments with Westerner’s Clubs for decades. Through his immense knowledge, compassion, integrity, talents, and dedication, Dave was a positive influence on countless young people, and his legacy lives on in those lives affected.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Bailey, and is survived by his father, Walton Bailey of Pampa, TX, his daughter, Kristen Bailey Mills and her wife Deborah of Oklahoma City, and his brother Dick Bailey, and wife Becky, his niece Jennifer Lester and husband Jason, and two great nieces, of Amarillo, TX. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the dedicated healthcare professionals of Northwest Texas Hospital, Mercy Oncology, and Mercy Hospital of Oklahoma City for their extraordinary care and compassion. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 16th, 2016, at 7:00 pm in the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian in Amarillo, TX. In lieu of flowers, Dave would have been thrilled with donations to the Boy Scouts of America, or the Kwahadi Museum.
Amarillo Globe-News, Jan. 1, 2016
Dennis Scott
David Bailey was as interesting a person as I have ever known. One thing that separated Dave from most others was he obtained and maintained a 'hearts' desire and passion for Scouting, exploring, preserving, and recreating the very lives of the historical figures who founded this particular part of this earth. Then from his birthplace in Pampa to the Alamo in San Antonio, to the Old Red River, New Mexico mining territories, then on to the early explorers, like Kit Carson in Taos & the Buffalo Soldiers Fort Stanton near Ruidoso, and all the Indian dwellings within a 350 miles circumference of Pampa. He was a participant in the 150th reinactment of the Battle of the Alamo, and just listening to him tell me of this battle seemed as though a Texas Hero's Spirit who died there at the real battle was talking the words to me. It was just David's lips moving during the pitched battle he recounted while the Hero's Spirit revealed it to Dave. There must be 100's of Texas Panhandle Boys, and young ladies I'm sure, who learned to perform those Indian Dances from Dave. What better contribution could any of us have made to pass a heart's ambition, and driving desire to kids who need it more than ever these days. God Bless You, Dave Bailey, kept wearing that Stetson amongst all those Spirits and Angels you abide with today in Glory.
Your friend, Dennis Scott
Suzanne Benton (Cate)
What a moving tribute, Dennis.
Terry Scoggin
Hi, Dennis! Thanks for the great reminiscence about Dave. After we moved back to Pampa in 1984, we used to schedule our trips to the Labor Day Chautauqua to coincide with the Kwahadi Indian Dancers. That way I'd be sure to be able to visit with Dave.
Dennis Scott
Thanks, Terry, again I'm suprised! I didn't know you had been in Pampa since 84, or if I did, I was amiss at not getting with you. We had some fun times with Dave, didn't we Terry! It'll be great to catch up with you again in September!
Terry Scoggin
Hi again, Dennis! Jennifer and I moved back to Pampa in 1984, but in 2001 we moved onto 33 acres of family land in rural Cooke county about a half hour north of Denton. Do you know how long Dave lived in the Amarillo area?