Coy Paul "Buck" Bailey, 83, of Madisonville, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2009 in his home, surrounded by family. A visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, at the Madisonville Funeral Home. Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, at First Baptist Church of Madisonville. Dr. Troy Brooks will be officiating, assisted by Rev. Johnnie Crocker and Rev. Wade Phillips. Graveside services will follow at Madisonville Cemetery.

Buck was born January 2, 1926 in Shelby County,Tx to William Francis Barto Bailey and Betty Kathleen Helton Bailey. He was the fifth of twelve children. He attended high school in Center, Texas. Buck served in the in the First Calvary Division of the United States Army in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was stationed in Japan and served as an engineer during the U.S. occupation where he was responsible for maintaining the water and electrical department of the post. On July 3, 1949 he married Burey Dean Mahan, the love of his life. Their union lasted until her death on January of 2006 and was blessed with one son and daughter. They moved to Madisonville in 1951 where they remained the rest of their lives.

Buck Bailey was a successful businessman. He built electrical utility lines all of his life. In 1978 he opened C.P. Bailey Construction Company, Inc., which built electrical lines for Gulf States Utilities. He branched out into the oilfield business and opened Centex Supply, an oilfield supply store. Buck owned Napa Auto Parts store as well, which he sold in 1999. He was privileged to serve as chairman of the board of directors for the National Bank of Madisonville. He was also a local rancher and owned commercial and residential rental property.

He was very active in the community, serving at various times on the Madisonville City Council, Oak Ridge Country Club Board of Directors and the Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen's Association. Buck also held many offices in the American Legion and was member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. He also was a generous supporter of the Madison County Fair Association, and was for many years the single greatest contributor to the organization. Buck was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Madisonville. He was the recipient of the prestigious Madison County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, also known as the Man of the Year, in 1987.

Buck had many interests. He loved to hunt, fish and garden. But, by far his favorite thing to do was to take care of his family. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed being a very active part of his family's life.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his beloved wife, Burey; brothers,Thomas Green Bailey and James Author Bailey and two sisters, Wanda Edith Burt and Shelby Jean McDonald.

Survivors include his daughter, Pam Bodenhamer and husband, Don; son, Paul Bailey and wife, Carolyn, all of Madisonville; granddaughter, Leigh Ann Fuchs and husband Cody, of Brady; grandsons, Coy Paul Bailey II and Daniel Alexander Bodenhamer, both of Madisonville and great-grandson, Rustyn Lee Fuchs of Brady. Other survivors include, brother Troy D. Bailey of Spring and sisters Vern Eather Merritt of New Caney, Vaudine Owes of Hawthorn, Ca., Buna Rachel Addison of Center, Lennie A. Burkett of Lufkin, America Ruth Gillis of Alma, Arkansas and Helen Joyce Bowden of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Randy Bailey, Dale Burkett, Coy Murphree, Steve Edison, Kerry Franks and Billy Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers are Al Sanders, Joe Dossett, Percy Shauger, Jimmy Rice, Calvin Clute, Joe Drew, Mickey Fite, Danny Feuhs and Russell White