Michael Wayne Bailey, 37, of Route 7, "Ridgemont",, Charlottesville, died January 11, 1987.
He was born February 1, 1949, in Charlottesville, Virginia, son of Mrs. Alies Wrenn Bailey of Charlottesville and the late George Samuel Bailey.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by one sister, Patricia Bailey Jensen of Charlottesville; brother-in-law, Douglas Jensen; three nephews, Kristian, Eric, and Brian Jensen and one niece, Sara Jensen.
Mr. Bailey was vice president and co-owner of Motor Specialty Company, Inc. NAPA Auto Parts. He was a graduate of Albemarle High School and attended the University of Tennessee.. He was a member of the Charlottesville Elks Lodge #389.
The family requests contributions to Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 160, Charlottesville, VA 22902 or Stoney Point Volunteer Rescue Squad.
The family will receive friends at "Ridgemont" this week.
Arrangements with Hill and Wood Funeral Home are incomplete.
Submitted by Sam Clarke.
I was friends with mike for a long time after high school. "Motor" Bailey everybody called him cause his family had the car parts place. He had a super hot model racer that we all competed against when model racing was a fad in the early sixties. There was a building with a track you could rent time on and compete with the other owners. His was the fastest, of course. My high school band would sometimes play at parties at his parents place. How did they put up with that? those were some wild parties. He would drive a huge tired high riding van around town in the 70's...He was on the scene and I spoke with him often. I remember gabbing with him one day at the parts store while he shot craps with the help cause it was slow. He was funny as hell and out for a good time. I still think about him and miss having him to bs with.
Diane LaSauce
Had the opportunity to get to know Mike in the late 1970's when I was living in Somerset. I remain haunted by the fact that he tried to contact me only weeks before his fatal car crash. My father never bothered to forward the call. Mike, another gentle soul.Stan Maupin
I have wanted a GTO like Mike's all my life. I will never forget the Prom after-party at Mike's farm! I doubt that there was a guy in our class that did not want to be like Mike at some time.Paul Hammond
I was friends with mike for a long time after high school. "Motor" Bailey everybody called him cause his family had the car parts place. He had a super hot model racer that we all competed against when model racing was a fad in the early sixties. There was a building with a track you could rent time on and compete with the other owners. His was the fastest, of course. My high school band would sometimes play at parties at his parents place. How did they put up with that? those were some wild parties. He would drive a huge tired high riding van around town in the 70's...He was on the scene and I spoke with him often. I remember gabbing with him one day at the parts store while he shot craps with the help cause it was slow. He was funny as hell and out for a good time. I still think about him and miss having him to bs with.
Carol Robertson (Ellis)
I remember riding in Mike's GTO. A bunch of us would pile in and ride around everywhere. When the gas ran out we'd chip in whatever money we had with us and put more gas in the car and keep on ridin'. Mike was an incredibly fun person to be with----------one of the few guys I ever knew who could "take it to the limit, one more time."
Yes, those parties down on the pond were a lot of fun-----------I remember being in the canoe one night with way too many of us------------the thing capsized in the middle of the pond, dumping us all out, and I got home ( I think Terry Bickers drove me) soaking wet and muddy.
Mike was willing to take life head on. I never saw him after we graduated, but he was always, and remains, a fond memory.