Brent Dean Bailey

"I'll sleep when I'm gone!"

Brent Dean Bailey was born in SLC to Verna Lu Draney and Robert Dean Bailey. He passed away Monday, April 12th at the age of 59 after a short but valiant battle with cancer.

He graduated from Cyprus High School ('68). He served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio communications tower technician, graduating with honors He achieved an Associates Degree from SLCC and went on to attend the U of U. He held many jobs over his life time, but he especially loved the last 11 years working with students as a financial aid counselor at the U of U.

An avid Ute's fan with a quick wit, phenomenal sense of humor, relentless passion for life, learning, music, sports, politics and religion. He loved to camp and hike, and travel to Laguna Beach, CA. He had a profound appreciation of the arts, nature, the beach and incredible sunsets. He loved good food, fine wine, and afternoon naps. Although he sometimes found it uncomfortable sharing his feelings, he loved his family and friends more than anything in the world.

He married Lucinda Wright, later divorced. He married his soul mate and best friend, Wendy Hayes on October 30, 1985.

He is survived by his loving wife, Wendy; four children, daughter, Valissa (Jake) Ward; sons, M. Jayson (Tami) Bailey, Michael W. (Heather) Hayes, Ryan M. Hayes; sisters Paula (Dave) Ellis and Pamela (Jerry) Brown; Aunt Linda (Bert) Ogden; father and mother in-law, Bob and Betty Kelly; sister in-law, Terry Wilkins; brother in-law, Rob J. Kelly (Steve Rojas-Granja); ten grandchildren: Hannah, Ethan, Cree, Gage, Vinny, Sofia, Payton, Andrew, Echo, Lucas; and many other family members, as well as very special friends Julia and Russell Larsen. Preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, uncle and niece.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals for their compassion and care, especially Hanadi Farrukh, MD, Internal Medicine, Madsen Health Clinic, Wallace Akerley, MD, and Terry Van Duren, RN of HCI, and Jay Johnson of Rocky Mountain Home Care.

In addition, the family would like to express sincere appreciation to his supervisors, colleagues, and friends at U Financial Aid for their tremendous support in a time of need and their loving care during this difficult time.

As per his wishes there will be no funeral; rather a celebration of his life Friday, April 23rd (Brent's 60th Birthday) from 4-9 pm at Little America Hotel, 500 So. Main, Ballroom A. Come casual, put on your dancing shoes, flip flops or tennies and join us for a memorial and celebration of Brent's life. Contact: brentdbailey423@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest making a donation to Huntsman Cancer Institute to support and continue research for a cure.