Selden Bailey

Selden X. Bailey died early Sunday morning, April 21, in Dothan, AL at age 92.

Selden was born in Demopolis, Alabama, on July 24, 1920. He was educated in the Tuscaloosa school system and studied at the University of Alabama, where he entered the service through ROTC. During World War II, Mr. Bailey volunteered to organize air sea rescue in the southwest Pacific and was involved in every air action from New Guinea to Japan, where he witnessed the Japanese surrender to McArthur on August 12, 1945 at I E Shima.

Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Bailey was employed by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. He was given a five year leave of absence to manage the Dothan Chamber of Commerce, where he was involved in the National Peanut Festival Corporation. After the five year leave he remained in Dothan, representing insurance companies in the area of life, health, and real estate investment.

Mr. Bailey was deeply involved in civic life. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Industrial Development Board for twenty years; was on the Alabama Air National Guard state staff; was chairman of the Third Army Advisory Committee, and worked with the National Guard Bureau of Washington, D.C., and alternate headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base where he was mobilization assignee. Additionally, he was secretary/treasurer of the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center as well as president of the Rotary Club, where he was twice honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where the men’s breakfast group honored him by designating their group the Selden Bailey Prayer Breakfast.

Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife of over 32 years, Frances Ellison Bailey. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Dean Bailey, to whom he was married for 38 years. He is also survived by three children:  Dean Bailey Anne of Canton, Georgia; Robert “Chip” Bailey Angie of Dothan; and Carol Calton Jimmy of Eufaula; ten grandchildren Beverly Brown, David Bailey, Jennifer Atwell, Stephen Bailey, Meredith Taylor, Chris Bailey, Lindsey Nichols, Whitney Simon, Jim Calton, and Ray Calton; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be service members from Ft. Rucker. Honorary pallbearers will be the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, the Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge, MOAA, and Hospice Nurse, Bridgett Searcy.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at First United Methodist Church with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am to 10:45 am in the church parlor. The graveside service will be held privately for family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice in honor of Selden X. Bailey.