Dan Paul Bailey

Dan Bailey of Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024 at the age of 70 after a 9-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on June 24, 1954 in Carrollton, Georgia to the late Helen Catherine Shaw and Earnest “Paul” Bailey. Dan is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lynn Shaw Bailey; son and daughter-in-love, Paul Shaw Bailey and Monica Zuniga Bailey, grandchildren, Isabella Joy and Ezra Shaw Bailey; son, Mark Adam Bailey, grandchildren, Henry James and Charlotte Helen Bailey; sister, Carol Bailey Hilton (Steve); sister-in-law, Ann Bailey (wife of his brother, the late Steve Bailey); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Dan loved Jesus and demonstrated that love through devotion to God and others. He loved with his whole being. He was never afraid to show affection and kindness to his family, his friends, his colleagues and acquaintances. Dan never met a stranger. He’d talk to anyone and listen with interest. He had friends around the world.

Dan loved to laugh. He was especially beloved for his quick and funny wit. Just the thought of Dan would make folks smile, as they recalled hilarious antics or anticipated his next zinger. His humor was a gift, and his laughter was contagious.

Dan loved his family and cared for Lynn, Paul and Mark with passion, involvement and devotion. They always came first. In 1973, Dan and Lynn met at Oklahoma Baptist University and were married less than a year later. They lived in San Diego, California for 4 years while Dan was in the Navy and Lynn attended nursing school. In 1979, they returned to Georgia to be nearer family and raised their sons in metro-Atlanta. In 2007, they followed Paul and Mark to Waco, Texas where Paul and Mark graduated from Baylor University, and Lynn audited classes in music. After 15 years in Waco, Dan and Lynn moved to Amarillo, Texas in 2022, to be near Paul and Mark.

Dan was comfortable with the uncomfortable, the critical and the tragic. Skilled and calm in emergencies, he loved his work as an EMT, Navy medical corpsman and 911 radio dispatcher. In 1978, he was on site within minutes of PSA flight 182 Boeing 727 airliner crash in San Diego. He worked the longest as a manager for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta. Perhaps the work he enjoyed most was with Delta Air Lines Family Assistance Team and later Aviem International, providing practical and emotional support to family, survivors and others most affected by personal tragedy involving an aviation disaster. 

Dan was famous for his amazing fried shrimp. Even folks who didn’t like shrimp or seafood loved Dan’s fried shrimp. On Saturday nights, he’d make a little extra for friends of Paul and Mark who just ‘happened to be in the neighborhood.’ Of course, it came with all of the perfect southern sides: hush puppies, baked potatoes, coleslaw and key lime pie.

Dan lived a life full of love, laughter and service to others. He will be dearly missed, but we rejoice that he is now Home in his Savior’s loving arms, in his eternal resurrected body.

A celebration of Dan’s life is planned for 10am (central time) on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel in Amarillo, TX. The service will be live streamed and later placed on their Facebook page. www.boxwellbrothers.com The family will plan a memorial service in Carrollton, Georgia at a later date. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors located at 2800 Paramount blvd Amarillo, Texas 79109