Retired GCI pastor, C. Fred Bailey, died at age 70 on August 3 at his home in Southaven, MS. The cause of death was apparently heart failure.
Fred was born on July 26, 1941. He graduated from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA in 1973. Upon graduation, he married Diane Yoho. They entered the field ministry as a trainee couple in June of that year, serving in the Oakland and San Francisco, CA churches. In 1974 they transferred to Nashville, TN. They served their first full pastorate in Evansville, IN. They also pastored in Springfield, MO and Richmond, VA. Fred retired in 2004. Fred’s wife, Diane, preceded him in death in 2006. Fred and Diane ministered capably and faithfully in all the church areas where they served. They were respected and loved by all who knew them.
MAY THE GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, BE THERE WITH YOU IN YOUR HOUR OF BEREAVEMENT. WE KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU THE COURAGE, STRENGTH AND FAITH TO CARRY ON. HIS PROMISE TO NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE YOU IS TRUE INDEED. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU COVERED IN HIS LOVE AND WRAPPED IN HIS MERCY AND GRACE.
To Fred’s family
I knew Fred for many years – I was at AC the same time as he was and Diane was from Chicago, where I first started attending. Great friend, great listener, always had a smile on his face and a positive word for you. I will miss him – my husband passed about a year ago now and I can imagine Peter and Fred having one of their great theological debates – but now they have all the answers from the one that gave them life and has now taken them to be with Him.
condolences, Charlotte Whitting
Fred was one of the first people I met in our church in 1969 in Memphis, TN. Wonderful man with a beautiful heart. He left for our college in Pasadena and I left for Big Sandy at the same time. Almost every time I (infrequently) saw him after that, I smiled and told him he looked one of the secret service agents surrounding the President ready to jump in front of bullets. Sort of metaphorically did that with his life. Miss him.
My wife and I attended the church in Evansville when Fred and Diane came in to pastor that congregation. Fred was a good guy, with a good head on his shoulders, and a heart for people.
He will be missed.
Richard/Henrietta Kissel
I grew up in the Evansville church, and he was the first pastor that I remember. I have a few memories of being afraid of him yelling during sermons when I was a small child, but as an older child and young adult, I have a few fond memories of him and his wife, although by that time they were in Springfield, and I only saw him a few more times. He was always nice to me, and that’s something a child doesn’t forget. He will be greatly missed.
Michelle Touketo (Beauchane)