John Curtis Bailey Jr.

John Curtis Bailey, Jr. 1938 – 2023

Our “beloved” Father, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, and Grandfather passed away at home on January 17, 2023, at the age of 84 years. 

John was born in McKinney, TX and moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1950.  He attended Albuquerque High School.  He received his college degrees from the University of New Mexico, University of Albuquerque, and Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute. 

He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 - 1960 and the New Mexico Army Reserve.  He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  He was a member of many service organizations including the American Legion Post #95, the Navajo Elks Lodge #863 where he served as Grand Exalted Leader, Disabled American Veterans, and the National Association of Letter Carriers.

He was an educator and believed in education for all.  He taught math and computer science at the college, high school, and elementary school levels.   He was an entrepreneur.  He owned and managed the Albuquerque Business College that primarily targeted Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics. He was the Executive Director of the Albuquerque Opportunities Industrialization Center (AOIC), a program that assisted people in gaining employment via education, counseling, and job skill training. 

He was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Curtis, “Bails”, or affectionately called “Sonny” lived life with a sunny and easy-going disposition.  He freely gave advice and words of wisdom. Those who knew him were blessed by his kindness and generosity. He was “Big Brother” and the “Best Dad Ever”.  He will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Virginia Bailey, his mother, Dorothy L. Landrum, his second father Ray E. Landrum, his father John Curtis Bailey, his sister Annie Lee Bailey, niece Tanya Foster, and nephew Bobby Davis.  He is survived by his siblings Dr. Harold Bailey and Jimmie Ruth Davis; his children Denise Bailey, Brigitte Bailey-Townsend, Michael Bailey, and Monica Bailey; his son-in-law Philip E. Townsend; daughters-in-law Eunice Jerralds and Mary Bailey; grandchildren Michael Curtis Bailey, Paul Anthony Bailey, and Marissa Bailey; great grandchild Luna Bailey; cousins Cecil Davis, Betty Davis, Chelia Bailey Clayton, Greg Bailey, Michael Dolphin, and Kimmia DiGiuro; nephews Brandon Bailey, David Derby, Keith Lewis, Tracy Garrett, Ronnie Thomas, David Thomas, and Kevin Foster; nieces Ivy Dennis, Sharon Caine, Cynthia Turner, Kimberly Ausman, LaWenda Dorsey, Denita Davis, Denise Davis, Regina Adams, Jill Foster, Kyla Foster, and Theresa Thomas, godson Jamall Green; and a multitude of other relatives.

Visitation will be 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Daniels Family Strong-Thorne Chapel.  His Celebration of Life is at 10:00 a.m. on Monday January 30, 2023, Strong-Thorne Chapel.  Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.