Michael Bailey

Micheal Joseph Bailey was born in Murray, Utah on November 3, 1952 to Beverly Hohfine and Joseph Astle Bailey. Things were hard for Mike. Despite this, he made the choice to connect with and lean heavily on the family he came to. He adored his mother, grandparents and aunts and uncles and spent countless hours serving them. He developed close relationships with siblings and cousins and spent hours of constant service and love on their behalf. As his nieces and nephews came he found ways to love and serve them and was part of their lives. As those nieces and nephews grew and had children, he treated them with the same adoring attention. Whether picking up a niece from school, driving a great-nephew to choir practice, helping a cousin move, finishing a basement, or tearing down a shed, Mike found no task too small or too large if it meant spending time with the people he loved..

He was a devoted son and brother. He was the companion and faithful sidekick to his mother until the end of her life. He drove her around and sat through countless hair appointments, doctor appointments and spent innumerable hours by her side in her condo as age made it harder for her to get around.

He often said, “If you love someone, get off your butt and do something about it.”

Mike graduated from Hillcrest High School. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Ohio Mission. Upon returning he worked in many industries. He repaired appliances, drove parts between dealerships, and worked for a wedding dress company.

He found delight in driving long distances and setting up chairs. He would get to church events hours early, just so he could set up the chairs and tables and set out any table decorations simply to make the lives of the people attending the event. He loved to find ways to serve the Relief Society sisters in every ward he was in. He set up a lot of tables and chairs.

He loved long drives for any reason and often was asking if he could help drive if you were talking about a long distance that needed to be traversed. He loved organ music, the music of Sarah Brightman and pineapple. He was always unusually early to and remarkably dependable for every event he attended. He was a gracious table guest and thought everything given to him was perfection fit for the gods. He loved Halloween and costumes, he valued kindness and chivalry. He did not believe in traffic, inflation or people moving away from their family. He did not know how to accept help.

Every bank teller, grocery store attendant, waiter, gas station attendant or any other person he crossed paths with received unending compliments about their goodness, kindness, beauty and for the help they gave him. He was well known for his love of praising the people he met. Those closest to him received an additional measure of attention any time he could hold on to them to shower them with love and attention

He said the opportunity to help someone else was a gift to him.

He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His favorite calling was when he taught in the Primary and got to hear the class members sing Primary songs. Despite his own difficulties, he attended church and all church meetings religiously. He was leaving his home to go to church when the accident came that ended his life on October 13, 2026.

Mike adored the small dog he cared for after his mother passed away. We were grateful for her companionship for Mike. He looked forward to his weekly Institute Class and being at the dog park. We are grateful for the Cowen family who hosted him for Sunday dinner every week. We were so grateful for the members of his condo community who served him in ways we didn’t know about.

Mike was blessed to be eligible as an organ donor. Service was so much a part of who Mike was that not even death could keep him from giving to others.

Mike leaves brothers Alexander Martin Bailey, and Jeffery Lamoni Bailey, Sister Jeanette Beverly Bailey, Aunt LoaDonn Hofhine Glade, loving Cousins and Nieces and Nephews who are rather numerous to list here but known to him. He is greeted in the next life by his mother, sister Susan Jane Webster, sister Annette Genevieve Millet, grandparents on both sides, many aunts and uncles. He will be missed at birthdays and barbeques and the 4th of July Breakfast.

One thing we learned from Mike was to tell people how wonderful they are and how grateful we are to get to spend time with them. We learned to look outside ourselves and see others in need.

Thank you, Uncle Mike.

Viewing:

Memorial Estates Mortuaries 5880 S 900 E Murray, Ut 84121

October 22, 2026

5:30-7:30 pm

Funeral: October 23, 2026

Viewing 10 am, Family prayer 10:45 am, Funeral 11 am

9770 S 500 E

Midvale, Ut 84047

Internment:

Elysian Burial Gardens