George Forrest Bailey III

George Forrest Bailey III, 65, a lifelong resident of Montgomery and a much adored husband, father, brother and friend, died Monday, September 4, 2017. He was a graduate of Jefferson Davis High School and Auburn University and recently was re tired after 33 years as natural resources section chief for Alabama State Parks.

Forrest served honorably for 23 years as an aircraft ordinance mechanic with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air Nation al Guard and was a decorated Gulf War II veteran. He loved the music of his generation and the outdoors, where he joyfully hunted and fished at every opportunity. He was primary consultant for the 1987 book, "Hunting, The Southern Tradition," and was quoted then as saying: "To experience the forest come alive gives you the satisfaction of knowing things are right with the world."

He was preceded in death by his parents: George Forrest "Bubber" Bailey, Jr. and Mary Gene Dunwody Bailey.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years: Angela Shadrick Bailey; a daughter: Mary Lackey Bailey; a stepson: Mike McRae; a brother: the Rev. Richard Dunwody Bailey and his wife, T.C. Rogers Bailey and a sister, Linda Bailey McLemore and her husband, Harold.

Following a private burial, funeral services will be conducted at noon, Friday September 8, at St. James United Methodist Church by the Rev. Lester Spencer and the Rev. Richard Bailey.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Penn Cook, Tommy Oliver, Woody Thrasher, Scott Williams, Bill Heilpern, Bill Parsons, Rex Donley and Scott Andrews.

Honorary pallbearers wForrest had great love and respect for the ongoing mission work of his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and T.C. Bailey in Perth, Australia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of their work. Mail to: Mission To The World, P.O. Box 744165, Atlanta, GA. 30374, Account #10790 or to donate online, visit mtw.org/ways-to-give.

The world will miss you for many reasons, Forrest, among these your bolo ties, sense of humor, gentlemanly behavior and abiding loyalty.

"Will the circle be unbroken by and by, Lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, Lord, in the sky."ill be George "Chip" Dean, Bobby Brantley, Dan Winn, Johnny Smith and The Gate Band.

Forrest had great love and respect for the ongoing mission work of his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and T.C. Bailey in Perth, Australia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of their work. Mail to: Mission To The World, P.O. Box 744165, Atlanta, GA. 30374, Account #10790 or to donate online, visit mtw.org/ways-to-give.

The world will miss you for many reasons, Forrest, among these your bolo ties, sense of humor, gentlemanly behavior and abiding loyalty.

"Will the circle be unbroken by and by, Lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting in the sky, Lord, in the sky."