Kenneth Roy Bailey of Malakoff left this earth for his Heavenly home at the age of 74 on Wednesday morning, Nov. 14, 2012, surrounded by his family. Roy had a lengthy battle with complications from a lung disease and passed away at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

Roy was born in Ash Flat, Ark. on Oct. 31, 1938 to General and Ruby Bailey and was the fifth of eight children. His parents owned a dairy farm and sawmill, so Roy grew up with a strong work ethic and an incredibly close family. This gentle, rural upbringing prepared him for a rewarding life of commitment to career, family and friends.  Roy joined the Air Force in 1956 and served four years in Roswell, N.M., during which time he met and married the love of his life, Zo. Roy began his career with Texas Power & Light in 1965. As he progressed with the company, the family moved several times while raising their three boys. Lasting friendships were formed wherever they lived. Following his early retirement from Texas Power & Light, Roy managed an electrical construction company in Houston, worked as construction manager in Bryan/College Station, partnered with a friend to do renovations, and did consulting work in electrical safety training until the time of his death. In 2001 he began building the couple’s retirement home on Cedar Creek Lake and completed it a year later. Roy was a man of many talents and loved a challenge.

Roy enjoyed nature and Fall was his favorite season of the year. He relished deer hunts with sons, grandsons, granddaughters, and dear friends. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, reading, and other outdoor activities. He was happiest sharing his experiences and bragging on his children and grandchildren.

Roy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruby and General Bailey and a sister, Della Brown.

Roy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Zo (Scruggs) Bailey of Malakoff; sons Ken Bailey and wife, Gaynell of Plano, Mark Bailey and wife, Carmen of Wylie, Scott Bailey and wife, Krissey of Malakoff; his grandchildren Chase Bailey of Norman, Okla., Ainsley Bailey of Plano, Chris Bailey and wife, Vivian of Wylie, Eric and Jenna Bailey of Wylie, Zoie and Rubi Bailey of Malakoff; and great-granddaughter Isabella Kay Bailey of Wylie. He is also survived by his brothers, Leland Bailey and wife, Kay of Ash Flat, Ark., Gerald Bailey and wife, Fayrene of Cave City, Ark., Cletus Bailey and wife, Jo Ann of Ash Flat, Dale Bailey and wife, Olena of Ash Flat, Glenn Bailey and wife, Linda of Ash Flat;  a sister, Wanda Massey of Horseshoe Bend, Ark.; sisters-in-law LaVerne Fitch of Navarro, Veda Norwood and husband, Joe of Whitewright, Texas, Nell Carter and husband, John of Athens; brothers-in-law O. B. (Bee) Scruggs and wife, Traudl of Ennis, Terry Scruggs and wife, Dora of Navarro, Ed Scruggs of Eureka; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 16, 2012 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, 1530 North 45th Street, Corsicana, Texas.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 17, 2012, Grape Creek Cemetery, Navarro, Texas. A Celebration of Roy’s Life will be held at First Baptist Church in Malakoff at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012.  Services will be officiated by Dr. Nathan Lorick. Pallbearers will be Chase Bailey, Chris Bailey, Eric Bailey (grandsons), Phil Schultz, Kelly Norwood and Sean Bailey. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Children’s Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 220 W. Mitchum Street, Malakoff, Texas 75148.

An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting the Kenneth Roy Bailey obituary.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana.