John Murphy Bailey

In Memory of John Murphy Bailey 1936-2021 John M. Bailey, longtime resident of Evergreen, Colorado, passed away at home on May 4, 2021. He was born June 27, 1936, in Okemah, Oklahoma to Oscar and Jewel (Murphy) Bailey. John grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma, joined the Marine Corps at the age of 16, and served in Korea 1954-1955. Upon completion, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, was assigned to Vandenberg AFB Atlas Missile program. He was a member of SAC Launch Crew R01, the first all-military ICBM launch in the free world. He was selected to attend Airman Education and Commissioning training at the University of Wyoming where he earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering. John served with Space and Missile Systems Organization, Los Angeles, CA, as design and project officer with Manned Orbiting Laboratory until it was transferred to NASA and became Skylab. He completed his federal service as a computer engineer with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service. John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Phil Bailey. He leaves behind his wife Margaret, children Leisa Leland, Rick Bailey, and Erin (Joe) Evans, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. John was an avid reader and a private pilot. He also loved playing golf, fishing with his buddies, and camping in the mountains with his family. He will be remembered for his friendly, outgoing personality, his great sense of humor and storytelling. He will be dearly missed by friends and family. John was laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery.