Charles Bailey

Charles Edward Bailey (Charlie aka Pops), passed away on Wednesday, February 16, at 5:33 p.m., in his home in Benbrook, Texas.  He was surrounded by his family.

Charlie was born in New Albany, Indiana, on August 30, 1939 to Jesse and Lucy (Cotner) Bailey.  He spent his youth in the New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky areas.  One of his first jobs was gassing airplanes at Standford Field in Louisville.  From there he worked for the post office in Louisville, and then joined the US Army in 1958.  While in the Army, he was stationed in Nürnberg, Germany.  It is there, in 1959, that he met his life-long sweetheart Rosa (Kreissel).  They were married six months later, on April 20, 1960 in Nürnberg, and have spent the last 62 years together.

After his three-year tour in the Army, Charlie joined the Air Force in 1961.  During his military career he and Rosa were stationed back in Germany many times.  Each time they were stationed there, they were blessed with a daughter.  Elfriede was born in Nürnberg, Michele was born in Neubrucke, and Christine was born in Berlin.  They thoroughly enjoyed their time in Germany spent with close-knit family and friends, especially Rosa’s parents and siblings, who adored Charlie.

After his service in the Army and Air Force, Charlie began a second career in US Civil Service, continuing the work he loved as a procurement and contract specialist.  He was stationed in Huntsville, Alabama, various sites in Germany, and had a six-year tour in Seoul, Korea.  He retired from civil service in 1994.  Although he and Rosa had never been to Texas before, they settled in Benbrook, to be closer to their daughters, Elfriede and Michele, who lived there.  Their youngest daughter, Christine, lived in Waco, at the time. Eventually, everyone settled in Benbrook.

After almost 40 years, Charlie finally had roots again.  He got to watch his family grow.  He has nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  It is here that his name changed to Pops.  His first grandchild was another girl, Katie.  After that, it was boys all the way.  First Alex, then Mac, Spencer, Kale, and Landon, Liam, and lastly, two girls by marriage, Lauren and Cambria.  Then his great-grandchildren Henry, William, and Willow Rose were born.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and sportsman.  He got to share those passions with his children and grandchildren.  One of his greatest joys was time spent at the baseball field watching his grandsons play.  He was ever the proud grandfather.

At 6’3”, Pops was a man of great stature.  He was an intelligent man, of a serious nature, and had a high moral character and a tenacious spirit, which he instilled in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  His physical presence is sorely missed, but his spirit is still felt by all.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Jesse Bailey; his brothers, Bud, Bill, and Donald; and his sisters, Pat, and Betty.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Rosa; their three daughters, Elfriede (Scott), Michele (Nick), and Christine (Sean); his grandchildren, Katie (Matthew), Lauren (Phil), Alex, Cambria, MacKenzie (Zoe), Spencer, Kale, Landon (Lexi), and Liam; great-grandchildren, Henry, William, and Willow Rose; sisters, Vickie, Shirley, and Linda; brothers, Ted, and Rick; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Winscott Road Funeral Home.