Randy A. Bailey

Randy A. Bailey, 71, of Kutztown, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township, following a sudden head injury just four days earlier. He was the husband of Donna L. (Mertz) Bailey, whom he married on February 1, 1975. Born in Allentown, Randy was the youngest child of the late William C. and Laila M. (Heinly) Bailey. He was a 1970 graduate of Kutztown Area High School and continued to be a proud supporter of their athletes and athletic events. Randy was employed as a Switchman for over 39 years by Verizon and their predecessor companies. Since 2015, Randy was employed as a school bus driver by Eshelman Transportation, Inc., proudly driving the #81 bus, taking children to and from school and sporting events. Randy was a diehard race car driver and racing enthusiast. He raced the #1K, #712, #1T, #17, #17M, #17T, #80 and #81 stock cars at area tracks including Dorney Park, Mahoning Valley, Big Diamond, Penn National and Grandview Speedway. Not only was Randy a respected driver, but he was also a crew member, mentor to many, supporter, and a true friend to everyone. His son Mike also followed in his racing footsteps until his untimely passing in 2015. Randy also enjoyed spending time at Action Track USA, Bridgeport Speedway, and Hoffman's Discount Parts, and was a member of The Checkered Flag Fan Club. Randy was also a member of Kutztown Fire Co., and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling with his wife in their RV, especially to visit his grandchildren, who he could not have been prouder of. Along with his wife Donna, Randy is survived by his three grandchildren, Madison S. Piles-Bailey, Eli M. Bailey and Reese N. Bailey; daughter-in-law, Melissa M. (Clark) Bailey, New Bloomfield, MO; brother, Dennis W. "Chico", husband of Joanne L. (Saylor) Bailey, Kutztown; sister, Debbie A. (Bailey), wife of Robert Becker, Walnutport; many nieces, nephews and their families; and countless friends who will miss him dearly. Along with his parents, Randy was predeceased by his son, Michael A. Bailey on July 28, 2015; sisters, Evelyn Bailey and Rose M. (Bailey) Greth; and brothers, Raymond C. "Hank" Bailey, Richard L. "Bull" Bailey and Sterling C. "Wimpy" Bailey.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday evening, October 31, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA. A funeral service to celebrate and honor Randy's life will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Vicar Jeremiah T. Heydt and The Reverend Donald Kerns, Chaplain at Grandview Speedway, co-officiating. Burial will be held privately by his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Randy's memory to The Checkered Flag Fan Club, P.O. Box 79, Kutztown, PA 19530-0079 or Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.