Les A. Bailey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, joined his Savior in Heaven on June 20, 2024, at his home in Brownwood, Texas, following a valiant battle with aggressive cancer.
Les was born to Mildred Allene and G.M. “Shuck” Bailey on January 23rd, 1951, in Kaufman, Texas. As a young man, he worked tirelessly alongside his father on the family farm. He loved all sports and excelled in football, baseball and basketball during his high school years at Kaufman. Les continued to pursue football in college and later took up his lifelong passion of golf. He was a fierce competitor in golf and a diehard fan of all college football but loved his Texas Longhorns the best.
Les studied Construction Science in college and applied his tenacious and competitive drive toward a lifelong career in the commercial construction industry, working on projects including hospitals, hotels and schools. His expertise was sought after by various construction firms where he served as a consultant.
Les has two accomplished daughters, Casey Bailey Olson, and Brittany Bailey Cooper. In 2000, he married his beloved wife, V. Sue Koenig of Fort Worth, Texas and became a devoted stepfather to her two daughters, Lindsey Stephenson Van Newkirk and Megan Stephenson Collins as well.
Together, Les and Sue pursued their passions in the horse industry, golf and travel. In 2014, they became part-time residents of Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club in Alto, New Mexico, falling in love with the area and the friends they made there. Les was a natural-born leader and served on the Board of Directors for the Club for six years, acting as president for three of those years. During his tenure he used his construction skills to assist the club in upgrading and adding many amenities and facility improvements.
Les was an engaged grandfather to nine grandchildren who knew him as “Poppy.” He spent countless hours playing, building and golfing with them, and patiently driving them in his Gator around the community. His influence and legacy will live on through these promising young people.
Les was never too busy to lend a hand. A lifelong protector, he looked after a circle of friends and neighbors and could always be relied on to fix something that was broken or help out in an emergency. His supportive presence will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Predeceased by his parents, Les’s memory will be honored and kept alive by his loving wife, Sue, his daughter, Casey Bailey Olson and husband David Olson of Park City, Utah, daughter Brittany Bailey Cooper and husband Dusty Cooper of Park City, Utah, stepdaughter Lindsey Van Newkirk and husband Jake Van Newkirk of Fort Collins, Colorado, and stepdaughter Megan Collins and husband Matthew Collins of Colorado Springs, Colorado, along with his grandchildren, Chloe Olson, Ole Olson, Mads Olson, Bailey Cooper, Catherine Cooper, Caden Van Newkirk, Harper Van Newkirk, James Collins, and Luke Collins, other extended family, and countless friends of the Kaufman, Rockwall, Fort Worth, Weatherford, Brownwood, and Alto communities where he lived.
In keeping with Les’s wishes, a simple graveside ceremony will be held in Burkett, Texas on June 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow at their Brownwood home. Pallbearers Paul Waldrop, Grant Dukes, Greg Claeys, Donnie Archibald, Merle Spence, Jack Curtis and Honorary Pallbearers Don Liedtke, Scott Shaver, Jerry Sumners, Sam Koenig, Marc Morgan, and Scott Odom will be escorting Les on his final journey.
Les believed in giving young people in the community a chance to find their passion and learn a skill. It was his hope that Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club would sponsor talented students from the local high
schools and aid them financially in learning career skills that allow them to pursue careers benefitting both themselves and the club.
In lieu of flowers, Les kindly requested that donations be made to the Alto Lakes Scholarship Fund at: c/o Alto Lakes Country Club, P.O. Box 168, 1 Country Club Drive, Alto, NM 88312.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the family at heartlandfuneralhome.net
