Merle Dean Bailey, 84, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday morning, September 28, 2022, at Derby Rehab and Health.

Dean was born November 7, 1937, in Winfield, the son of William and Leona Bailey. He attended Tisdale Grade School and Winfield High School and attended Cowley County Junior College later. Dean was married to Lorene Lawrence at Tisdale Church in July '58, where he was a life member. They honeymooned at Branson and Table Rock Lake, which would serve as a lifelong legacy location for the family with the many summer camping and vacation trips. Dean played town team sports with many of his friends early in their marriage and they were regularly seen at area gyms and fields as he participated and competed with his brothers and other Tisdale and Winfield teammates. As a member of the Winfield Merchants basketball team he was able to enjoy playing in his home gym at Tisdale which became a family legacy facility shared with his sons and grandsons later on. Dean's love of sports continued in his life helping organize and coach Winfield Babe Ruth Baseball, Winfield Pop Warner Football and American Legion Baseball.

Dean began working for the City of Winfield in 1955 and worked his way up to Supervisor of the Gas Department in a 30+ year career leaving the city in 1989. Dean and Lorene operated a retail store in Winfield, The TACK SHACK, where he expanded his love of the Western Industry to launch his 2nd career as a sales representative for Stetson Hat Company in 1989. Lorene was soon to follow Dean in selling on the road in 1990. Through his sales career, Dean worked for Stetson Hat Company, Outback Trading Co., Serratelli Hat Co., and Master Hat Co. traveling with Lorene selling in the midwestern states.

Dean loved family travel, raising and working horses, playing the guitar and watching all of the kids, grandkids and great grandkids participate in sports. He particularly loved the travel to Hawaii and snorkeling and picnicking with Lorene and the family.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents William & Leona and a brother Gary Bailey.
Living siblings include Ruth Thomas, Marvin Bailey, Larry Bailey, John Bailey.

His family includes wife Lorene, sons Kerry (Shelley) Bailey, Thane (Robyn) Bailey, and Kyle (Tracy) Bailey; Grandchildren – Casey (Tyson) Biddle, Jaden (Kelsi) Bailey, Tanner (Emily) Bailey, Garrett Bailey, Lexie Bailey, Brittley Bailey. Great Grandchildren include Laython Biddle, Bryson Biddle, Taden Biddle, Morgan Bailey, Jennings Bailey, Nash Bailey & Cali Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery east of Atlanta. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Dean's name for Tisdale United Methodist Church and for Honolua United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Funeral services may be viewed live at the following link: