David Bailey

Dr. David T. Bailey

Dr. David T. Bailey was born in Toronto, Ontario on May 3, 1951; died November 7, 2015, at the age of 64. He received his B.A. in 1973 from the State University of New York at Buffalo and was the only undergraduate to matriculate from Vico College. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1979.  

Dr. Bailey was a scholar of American religious and intellectual history for over 35 years, touching the lives of thousands of students and faculty at Michigan State University. Through Dr. Bailey's seminal work, Shadow on the Church, subsequent publications, and academic talks he explored the intersection of race and religion in the American experience.  As a historian who understood how new technologies were changing the world, Dr. Bailey was a pioneer in developing on-line websites and scholarly networks, and an innovator in linking history and new technology in his classroom. 

Dr. Bailey was a key member of the intellectual community of MSU, and mentored junior faculty and Ph.D. students. He inspired and engaged his students in lectures and thoughtful discussions. Dr. Bailey also served as Associate Dean of the MSU Honors College from 2000-2007. 

David had many creative pursuits beyond academia, including a lifetime commitment to the theater and a passion for literature. His play Liars was performed at the Riverwalk Theater in 2009. He also wrote over a dozen novels and plays over the last ten years.  Dr. Bailey had a voracious appetite for the world. He traveled widely and read even more widely. His approach to life was inclusive and profoundly democratic.  

David is survived by his remarkable 94-year old mother, Doris Bailey of Kenmore NY; his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Barbara Bailey of Henrietta NY; and his two daughters Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey and Jean Claire Cookingham Bailey of London UK and Seattle WA, respectively; as well as a wealth of dear friends across the world. He was pre-deceased by his childhood friend and wife, Mary Cookingham of East Lansing and his father, Herbert Bailey of Kenmore.  

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 21st at 10:00 a.m. at United Church of Christ, Kenmore NY and Saturday, December 5th at 2 p.m. at the Alumni Chapel, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI.  For those desiring, the family requests that contributions be made to the David T. Bailey Undergraduate Fund, Department of History, 306 Berkey Hall, East Lansing MI, 48824. The family is being served by the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel, East Lansing.  Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.