Dan Allen Bailey

Dan Allen Bailey went to be with his Lord and Savior, Monday, March 16, 2026. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. at OakCrest Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. and burial at Waco Memorial Park.

Dan was born October 14, 1934, in Hubbard, Texas, to Ercelle and Minnie Mae Bailey, as one of seven children. He graduated from Coolidge High School before moving to California where he met Mary Ann Patton at church in Santa Barbara. They married on September 2, 1961, and four years later, became proud parents to their son, Greg.

Dan never met a stranger and showed calm care and compassion to those around him. He was a joyful man who loved to laugh and was even voted class president his senior year of high school. He served his country in the Army from 1957-1963 and lived with honor and generosity.

Dan was a devoted husband who loved his son and grandchildren dearly. He wanted their home to be a safe haven for kids and welcomed Greg’s friends over almost every Saturday & Sunday evenings to swim and play. Once, he even created a Vacation Bible School for kids in the neighborhood simply because “they wanted to” and he knew it was important. Dan loved to travel, played several sports, and always enjoyed a Baylor football game.

In 2004, Dan and Mary Ann moved back to Texas because he wanted to carry the tradition forward of hosting family gatherings, just as his parents had. He loved holidays and special events; the Bailey home became an annual place for family to reconnect. Dan was the pillar of the Christmas gathering every year, reading the story of Jesus’ birth for the family. Dan and Mary Ann were involved in church wherever they lived, and he served as a deacon in many churches, including Western Heights Baptist Church where he was a member.

Dan worked tirelessly in his career at American Greeting Corp, which led their family to Ohio in 1996, where he oversaw territories in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, before their move back to Waco. He retired at 65, but he loved work and quickly found himself back at it. At age 85, he officially retired from Academy Sports and Outdoors.

His legacy will carry on through the many lives he touched. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Weldon Bailey; and sisters, Lynda Pursley and Evelyn Adler.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Bailey of Woodway; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Beth Bailey of Fontana, California; grandchildren, Jordan Bailey and wife Brianna of Springtown, TX, and Sydney Bailey and Josh Searcy of Riverside, California; brothers, Bill Bailey and wife Carolyn of Muscadine, Alabama, and Jerry Bailey of San Antonio; sister, Janelle Davis of Forney, TX; sister-in-law, Annette Bailey of Fort Worth, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to Wesley Woods Nursing Home and Amedisys Hospice, especially Michelle Small and her crew.

Memorials can be made to Western Heights Baptist Church in Waco, TX.