Ralph W. Bailey, beloved husband and father, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017. He passed peacefully, surrounded by the people who loved him most, “his girls,” loving wife of 44 years, Judy, and his precious daughters, Brandy and Noelle.

He was born in Estill County to the late Myrtle Winburn Bailey and Roscoe Bailey. He was a 1967 graduate of George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester and a 1988 graduate of Morehead State University where he was chosen to give the commencement speech as a non-traditional student.

He retired from Arvin Meritor, formerly Rockwell International, with 38 years of service. He started as an hourly employee and worked his way into management after only seven years. He finished his career in Frankfort as supervisor of the welding department.

For many years, he was involved in men’s fast pitch softball; first as a player for ByPass and then as a coach and sponsor for Top Gun. He won numerous state championships with ByPass and Top Gun. In 1996, he was awarded the National Softball Association Outstanding Coaches Award and Top Gun won the NSA Fast Pitch World Series. In 1999, Top Gun was the ASA National runner-up.

He was a strong-willed and hard-working man. He loved all things that grew in the yard, except for weeds. He loved mowing his yard, riding his motorcycle with his best friend Denny, driving his Corvette, spending time in the sunshine, and bringing pies and donuts to his nurses. Every Christmas he enjoyed placing the nativity scene in his front yard for the residents of Winchester to enjoy. But most of all he loved taking care of his family and reminding them, as often as he could, how much he loved them and how proud he was of them.

In addition to his wife, Judy Bailey (nee Chism), and daughters, Brandy Bailey and Noelle Bailey, he is survived by his future son-in-law, Mark Parsons, his brother Gene (Diane) Bailey and sister Pam (Randy) Rainey. He was predeceased by his father and mother, and his sisters, Margie Prescott, Beverly Bailey, and Sherion Dearing.

A special thanks to Dr. Michael Horn and nurses Tammy, Marquetta (“Margarita”), Kitty and Mary. We believe with their loving care we were able to keep him a couple more years.

Services will be held at 11:00AM Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Scobee Funeral Home by Pastor Lee Cruse. Burial will be in Winchester Cemetery. Pallbearers: Denny Gaines, Paul Columbia, Art Perry, Courtney Hatton, Eli Johnson, Les Williams, Gene Culton and David Dowdy.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00PM Wednesday at Scobee Funeral Home.