David Dewayne Bailey

Memorial services for David Dewayne Bailey, age 73, will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 3 pm at Rader Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 2-3 pm prior to the service. David passed away on December 31, 2025, from complications after a stroke.

David was born on May 13, 1952, in Longview, TX to Ralph and Melba Bailey.

David grew up working at his grandfather's farm on the weekends and during summer breaks from school. The many hours and days of baling and hauling hay, feeding and tending to livestock, planting and tending to the vegetable garden, driving a tractor, and cutting and hauling pulp wood helped develop a work ethic that carried through to his adult years. He loved working with his granddad and received a life lesson in hard work.

David was a great brother to his two younger sisters and baby brother. Sure, there were a few quarrels and fights between us, you know, the older brother against younger sisters thing, or the older brother aggravating his baby brother, but mom usually put a stop to that pretty quick. Through it all though, and through the years to come, David's love and thoughtfulness for his siblings and family would always peek through in some form or fashion.

David attended Longview schools, North Texas State University, and Stephen F Austin State University. While attending North Texas State University, he married Shirley Jarvis, a longtime friend from Longview. After they were married, they came back to Longview and David completed his college education at Stephen F Austin State University with a degree in Business Administration.

He went to work in the plumbing wholesale business at International Supply alongside his dad Ralph. David was a dedicated, loyal, and highly respected employee and developed many lasting friendships with those in the plumbing and contractor field. He did his best to please those he served and those that depended on him. He retired from Morrison Supply in 2022 after over 45 years in the plumbing wholesale business. His greatest joy through all those years was working alongside his dad.

David loved being outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting, gardening, or sports. He was a longtime member of Mobberly Baptist Church where he played church softball and basketball for several years. It was at Mobberly Baptist Church at the age of 10 that he made the most important decision of accepting Jesus into his heart as his personal Savior.

David was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Melba Bailey and brother-in-law Brandon Johnson. Those left to cherish his memory are wife Shirley Bailey, sons Jacob and Tucker Bailey, sister Debbie Goetz (Jack), sister Brenda Johnson, brother Chris Bailey (Joni), and grandson Camden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Family Services/Benevolence Ministry of Mobberly Baptist Church at

https://mobberly.onlinegiving.org/donate/guest_donate?&fund=Family+Services+%2F+Benevolence&lf=1