Bailey, David E.
02/05/1943 - 02/26/2021

David E. Bailey, born 2/5/1943 in Denver, Colorado, died in his winter home in Tucson, Arizona surrounded in his last hours by his wife, Robbie Gries, his son, James Bailey, his daughter, Anne Auld, his step-daughter, Lynn Gries and his brother, Steven Bailey. David graduated from St. Peters High School in Roswell, New Mexico in 1961 and attended the New Mexico Military Institute from 1961 to 1963. He transferred to the University of Denver and graduated with his Bachelor's degree in business and education in 1966. He and Julie Norton were married soon after graduation and joined the Peace Corps. Their two years of service were spent in Limón, Costa Rica where he was tasked with establishing a credit union. He always thought he was much more successful creating a championship basketball team. David and Julie had two children, James David Bailey and Anne Elizabeth Auld. After a divorce, David was married to Susan Storla from 1982 until her death in 2006. In 2008 he married Robbie (Ruth Roberta) Gries. David's career in banking began with Denver US National which became United Banks of Colorado where he became a senior officer. Later he became President of Norwest Bank and when he retired in 2002 he was President of Wells Fargo Colorado/Wyoming. David was a Board Member for Miller International, a Denver-based western clothing manufacturer. His community service included participation on many boards including Colorado State University Research Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Metro State College Foundation, the Colorado Symphony, Denver Art Museum, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and Mile High United Way. He was also the Chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Alumni President at the University of Denver.
David's friends and family universally described him as kind and inclusive. Professionally, he was most proud of his support for individuals and families fulfilling their dreams of opening small businesses. He enjoyed advocating and facilitating gender and racial equity. His contributions to Norwest and Wells Fargo utilized his exceptional skills reorganizing and restructuring banks under his management.
David was honored by the University of Denver in 2000 with the Evans Award. Also, in 2000, he was named the Denver Business Journal Banking and Financial Executive of the year. He was awarded the Denver Chamber Award for small business support in 2000. This annual award is now known as the David E. Bailey Small Business Award. In 2001, the University of Denver honored him with its 2001 Public Service Award and the same year the CACI recognized him as the Business Leader of the Year. David and Robbie split their time between Denver and Tucson and shared their love of travel, both having visited over 60 country visits-twenty of those during their 15 years together. David was an ardent reader, devoted to his Tucson book club in Tucson with treasured friends. He enjoyed special golfing friends in both Denver and Tucson. He was a Colorado Rockies fan from Day One and shared that pastime with Robbie and his family. He supported many non-profits and was especially partial to the Denver Rescue Mission, the Community Food Bank of Arizona, and the Heart Mountain (Japanese) Relocation Center in Wyoming. David is survived by Robbie, his son, James, his daughter, Anne, his brother Steven Bailey (Sharon), his sister, Judy Serby (Bruce) and stepdaughter, Lynn Gries. He greatly enjoyed his grandchildren, LaTieka Hubbard, Shawnessee Bailey, Aleonya Hunter, James Hubbard (Samone), Ryan Auld, Grace Auld, Joseph Auld, Katie Auld and five great grandchildren.