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Maurice Bailey Obituary
Burial with full military honors will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, with a celebration of life and potluck at 4 p.m. at the Palmer Elks Lodge.
Maurice was born April 20, 1939, in Memphis, Tenn., to Edgar and Wilma (Harris) Bailey.
He joined the U.S. Army as a recon-helicopter and aircraft mechanic in May 1956. He served three tours in Vietnam. Maurice was honorably retired in July 1976 after more than 20 years of proudly serving his country. He received the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with palm leaf and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm leaf.
His love for flying continued after he retired. He lived and worked in Bush Alaska, which inspired him to help veterans in these areas. Maurice's heart was for flying and veterans. He founded Veterans Aviation Outreach, starting it for the sole purpose of helping veterans. Maurice and his "crew" of pilots, veterans and helpers have touched many lives by providing support, clothing, housing and food for veterans in need.
His dedication earned him the respect of many individuals. Maurice received the Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award in 2007 and a citation from the Alaska Legislature in 2010. He received the Federal Employee of the Year Citizen Leadership Award from Alaska Veterans Affairs for his countless efforts on behalf of veterans.
Maurice was president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Mat-Su Chapter 903, and a member of AmVets Post 11 and Palmer Elks Lodge 1842.
Maurice is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Ann Bailey; family, brothers and sisters-in-arms; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 4447, Palmer 99645.
Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Maurice Bailey
Scott Coltellaro
April 29, 2022
Sure liked Maurice, I met Maurice many years ago in Fairbanks Alaska. I was his paper boy, and kept in contact with him as i aged then i lost contact with him when he left Fairbanks. He was also a good friend with a close friend on mine Kelly Wages. We offer our condolences to his remaining family members,may you rest in peace Mo. Sincerely Scott Coltellaro, and friend Kelly Wages.
rodger harris
June 2, 2011
will miss you brother/cousin.see you in the next life
Kim-Marie Walker & Gary McDaniel
November 9, 2010
Sweet woman, Ann, Our deepest condolences and love to you. Maurice and you will always be shining lights in our lives whereever we roam. Our last time seeing you & Maurice was at the State Fair 2009 - his spirit was magical and enlightening. Thank you for being part of our Alaska family. We're in the Lower 48 now. Ann, we'd love to hear from you and will be trying the phone #'s we have had through the years...otherwise see our email address...
John Bailey
October 30, 2010
Hello Family!! First let me offer my deepest condolences for the passing of my Uncle Maurice. It's been some time since my mother (Ann Bailey) and I had spoken to him. Uncle Maurice was the last living brother to my father Thomas Bailey. I would like for the family to please contact me at 973-441-4307. Thank you very much and again much love to you during this time. Love always, John Bailey.. Son of Thomas Bailey.
Ann Bailey
October 9, 2010
My Wonderful, Beautiful Husband i miss you and love you very much I wish we had many more years together
your wife Ann
July 29, 2010
Ann I will miss our conversations .
discussing the family history. Be strong and hang in there. Mo fly forever. Your cousin, John and Joyce Neal . Memphis TN
Randy Rogers
July 26, 2010
Maurice was a great guy and a great customer. He will be missed.
Alison O'Donnell
July 26, 2010
I came to know "Mo" when he was a patient at St. Elias Specialty Hospital. His strong, but gentle soul and love for his fellow man was inspiring. The love he and his wife shared was endless. I am grateful to have met such an amazing person.
"MO" I did not know you but as a veteran I want to Thank You for your dedication to veterans and your wife and family for their support t
July 25, 2010
July 25, 2010
To the family of MO
May he fly with wings of an angel and I wish all of you a healthy recovery. Some day you will all be together again.
Rita a US ARMY veteran
Elden Sandvik
July 24, 2010
A good man and a great friend.
san cox
July 21, 2010
Uncle Maurice we will miss you dearly!We Know you're in Heaven Flying with your HEAVENLY WINGS with God the Father! We hope to see you one day! With Love... Sandra and Wilma Jones Your Niece and great!! neice
JAMES & BETTY LAWRENCE
July 20, 2010
ANN, YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. MAY YOU FIND COMFORT IN ALL YOUR FOND MEMORIES.
Byron Cox
July 20, 2010
Uncle Mo, I can not find any words to express my sorrow. I only wish we had more time to share. I will always be thinking of you and the many things you done for veterans. God Bless You.
Martha McClain
July 20, 2010
So sorry to hear about Maurice. No more suffering for him.
Martha McClain
Naknek
Hank & Sheree Alexander
July 20, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Joy & William Remmer
July 19, 2010
Time will pass and the sorrow will lessen, but memories will be forever present of someone who was so special to so many people.
With Deepest Sympathy
CW Floyd
July 19, 2010
Ann - Mo was a one of a kind. You have my deepest sympathy. It is not often that we get the pleasure and the honor to know a person that is so driven to do what is right for his fellow man. Mo was certinally one of those rare individuals. He asked for little and gave a lot. His committment and dedication to his fellow veterans will serve to motivate us all to do more for those that have given so much for our country. May he rest in peace and may the fond and loving memories of his life help to soften the grief that you now feel. We will miss him.
Debi Criss
July 19, 2010
Even the angels are crying today for our brother who has passed from this earth. Such a great man, a wonderful husband, a champion for his fellow Veterans, you will be missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting you and seeing you smile or hearing that hearty laugh of yours.
Bill Kelder
July 18, 2010
Getting to know Mo was pleasure, but knowing him was a privilege. I miss you, Mo...
Princess Kimber
July 18, 2010
To Mo's family and friends.... arn't we lucky to know these rare men, who find their passions, follow them, and bring us along for the ride. To his wonderful wife ....you were picked to love and care for Mo and you did so with such patience and humor. Mo you made my dad, Surge, laugh and think and reminded him "old farts can fly" you will always be thought of as a friend. Now you boys keep each other company and keep and eye on us.
brad bartlett
July 17, 2010
to my brother mo i was honored to to be your friend. i have many fond memories of you and the good times we had till we see again i love ya man. brad bartlett and family
CWO W Michael Stanton & Bettie Smith
July 17, 2010
Now he is legend. As with Julius Caeser, we come not to bury Maurice Bailey, but praise him. He is to be buried with company of other warrior brothers and sisters who served their country. He was a very bright shining light that lit the way for many a veteran trying to find the path to a peaceful and fulfilling life. We band of brothers salute you, gladly carrying you upon our shoulders for one last time, in memory of all the times your shoulders carried us.
Dean Dreeszen
July 17, 2010
I did not know Mo but after reading through his obituary I felt obligated to offer a belated "Thank You" for his service, there are very few men in this world that did what he did and a Thank You is in order. To Mo's family I can only offer my condolences and a sincere gratitude for your departed's service. Mo there are very few men out there like you, you have set the bar for those to follow. You will be missed by many. Good luck on your journey and god bless.
Carlo Curatolo
July 17, 2010
It was a honor and a privelage to know and work with you. I have learned a lot from you and now you can fly any where you want. May you rest in peace.
Laverne Mitchell
July 17, 2010
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to your loving wife Ann, your sons and daughters, your friends and other family members. We have all suffered a tremendous loss! The memory of your goodwill and dedication to your country, family, friends, veterans and life in general, will last forever in our hearts.
Jr
July 16, 2010
To everything there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck
that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and time of peace.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I will forever miss and love you daddy and I'll see you on the other side! Your oldest daughter...
Dawn Furnish
July 16, 2010
Thank you for all your dedications and hard work to help Veterans...
maudeen woodson
July 16, 2010
we will love you and miss uou forever Mo' peace and love to Ann and the family
Bill & Marianne Schlegelmilch
July 16, 2010
We are sad to hear that Maurice is gone and express our deepest condolences to Ann and all his family. He was a good man who did good things that will live on through his family and through his work with veterans. We thank him for his service to our country and for the pain he suffered from his remarkable three combat tours in Vietnam--from his brother-in-arms Bill and Bill's wife, Marianne Schlegelmilch
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