Becky Kromer, Lori's best friend since high school

Earl, thank you for being such a faithful friend and for living a life rooted in love and commitment. You built a truly beautiful family, and your legacy is seen clearly in Lori, in Alexa, in Trevor, and in your grandchildren. “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7). Your life is reflected in the faith, strength, and love you passed on.

Even as we grieve, we cling to the hope God gives us. “Blessed are those who die in the Lord… for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Earl, your love, your faith, and your devotion will continue to speak through the lives you touched. We trust that you are now in the presence of your Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

And finally, Earl, you will always be remembered as a wonderful friend, a great cook, and a gracious host. Your home was a place of laughter, good food, the best Christmas lights ever, and you had a way of making everyone feel welcome and at home. Those moments—shared meals, shared stories, shared life—are gifts we will always treasure. Thank you for the love you gave so freely and the joy you brought into our lives. You will be dearly missed! 

Any time Earl and traveled together, he would make sure that I safely traveled. One time in New Orleans, he Ubered with me to my hotel before going to his to make sure I safely arrived. We would look at the dessert menu first and then share a meal so we could have dessert. Hands down our favorite of all time was a butterscotch bread pudding in Pheonix.

I will forever treasure the moments we spent sharing stories about our grandchildren. Those conversations brought immense joy and a sense of connection that went beyond our professional relationship. Earl's love for his family was evident in every word he spoke, and it was clear that his grandchildren held a special place in his heart.

First met in the early 80's...not that long ago.

When I took a job in Lawton OK. Cecil Lawson Buick/Cadillac. Worked beside each other..

He'd come over for dinner...worked on jobs outside the shop. Hunted , bought dirt bikes we as well as James Mason would go ride after work 

Would lay under car hoods while driving to try and find a rattle...would test to see if car really shut off at 125 mph..cause it said it did. When Buick and Cadillac started putting computer controls on engines we learned all we could from G M. And got to work on every check engine light issue there was. Stayed alot cleaner...lol..

After leaving Oklahoma,  moving back to Missouri didnt stay in contact much..got to remember this was before Facebook and hand held computers..phones. But on a Family trip to Myrtle Beach I believe  Earl, Lori and the kids stopped in Doniphan. That stayed in the guest house at Rain Crow Ranch where I worked and we got to enjoy each other's company and reconnect some.

Over the last few years Facebook has been a way to chat and visit...As age and time turned my beard white , and a daughter asked me if I'd put on a red suit for her school..well that grew and Earl was lighting up Oklahoma in December.So we reconnect over December activities that we both Love.That brought on a couple of trips to Oklahoma.  Sitting out taking Santa and Mrs C. Pictures in Earl and Lori's yard.Lots of Smiles Great time Earl taking pictures and sharing with the neighbors. 

But what it also did was let us stay with them and enjoy...We laughed,  we relived, over coffee...over meals together.  Take nothing for granted.  The Bible says Life's a Vapor,  so true. I think Sabrina posted it Well recently Thank You For The Promise Of Heaven...

Thank You for the Life of Our Friend Earl.

One memory that will always stand out is the time Earl, with his playful sense of humor, decided to place a fake spider in Sandy's Bible just before the service. When the pastor asked the congregation to open their Bibles to a particular verse, Sandy's shriek of surprise at the sight of the spider was a moment of pure, unplanned comedy. The entire church turned to look at us, and it was an incredible struggle to stifle our laughter for the rest of the service. Earl's quick wit and humor were a constant source of joy.

Earl's passing has been a major setback. I have lost a true friend who was a constant source of encouragement and who had a remarkable way with people. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his laughter, his kindness, and his friendship will live on in our hearts forever.

 Love you and miss you, my friend!

In 2025, a few colleagues and I attended AMC (Aerospace Maintenance Competition). After a long final day, three coworkers, Earl, and I decided to stop at Waffle House. We were the only ones there for a while and had a great time; despite some pretty rough service. After we finished eating and paid, the rest of us went outside to the car, only to realize Earl was nowhere to be found.

He had stayed behind to talk with our server, offering her genuine life advice and encouraging her to do better and succeed. While the situation was frustrating, Earl saw it as a moment to help someone. That was just who he was, someone who wanted everyone to do well and never wanted to see anyone left behind.

Eden adored Earl. Any time Lori and Earl were serving, I would pick her up at the end of service and Lori would tell me that she just wanted Earl the whole time.

He loved children and ministry. He had such a servants heart. I wish I could tell him thank you one more time for loving so well on our Eden.

He will be missed greatly!

Earl Bailey has always been one of the best student parents I have ever been associated with.  He was so supportive of Piedmont schools and more important to Trevor and Alexa.  It seemed he was always in the background carrying things for the Junk Show, driving Lori to the next basketball game or running the football chain gang with his friends.  He was one of the nicest parents/people I have had the pleasure of knowing.  Well...until this one fateful night at Trevor's basketball game in El Reno.  As a vice principal at Piedmont High School I chose to go to a game in El Reno with a new vice principal..one, I enjoyed watching our teams play and two...the principal had no idea where the gym was located in El Reno. 

The game seemed to be going great.  At the start of the 3rd quarter the El Reno athletic director came into the stands and sat next to me and said the referees had come to him and said they had a parent from Piedmont walk by them while they were on the gym floor getting ready for the 2nd half and make comments to them.  The AD said, I guess that is against the rules and they said this man has to be ejected from the game.  I looked at him and said I used to coach basketball and I have never heard of this rule.  He said yea, me neither, but I guess since the man was on the floor talking to the refs no matter the time of the game, it is an automatic ejection.  I said wow...ok...who is it?  He pointed to Earl Bailey.  I told the AD...him?!!!  He said yes, I said....he is the nicest person on the face of the earth. The AD just shrugged his shoulders and said ...sorry, he has to go.  I looked at the other assistant principal, and he said...I never ejected a parent before, can you do it?  With a big sigh,... I said ok.  As I walked over to Earl...by the way I didn't breathe one breath on my short walk to him, I was so nervous, I mean this is Earl Bailey!  I sat next to Earl and he said...Are you here for me?  I said yes...I told him the rule and he was being ejected.  He turned and looked at me and said, "I'm not going".  I sat there for 30-45 seconds ...which were the longest seconds of my life.  I then got up and went and told the AD...he won't leave.  The superintendent of El Reno was standing there and said I don't care.  He's got one more chance, or he can leave with the Canadian County Sheriff's Deputies.  I sighed with a big deep gulp and said well ok.  I then went outside and threw up...just kidding.  I went back to sit by Earl again and told him...you are going to have to leave or they will send the police up here...he took a deep breath and with an elbow push from Lori he got up and left the gym. I was so relieved :)  We never spoke about this night again and I still have no idea what he even said.  I do want to say thank you to Lori and Alexa for coming up to me after the game and apologizing ....  I was so worried the family would hate me the rest of my life...but this is how great the Bailey's are.


Earl...you will be missed, maybe not in El Reno, but everywhere else in this world.  GodSpeed.

We were in Mobile at Airbus Corp. working the WDI event.  This was at dinner and we recognized Earl’s birthday.  I had no idea that this would be the last time that I would see him and I am so, so glad that I took this picture.  With everything going on he maintained one of the most positive attitudes about life, business and was the model of a Stoic Gentlemen.  I have a ton of respect for him.