Michael Traylor Bailey

Michael (“Mike”) Traylor Bailey, 74, passed away on October 28, 2017 at Houston Methodist West Hospital after a year-long battle with cancer. Warm, generous, and loved by many, he will be sorely missed.

Mike was born September 22, 1943 in Searcy, Arkansas, the son of Floyd E. Bailey and Virginia A. (Traylor) Bailey. He graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1961 and then attended Sam Houston State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 with a major in journalism and a minor in English. He was also an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Mike worked for several years as a sports writer for the Suburbia Reporter before pursuing his dream of coaching. He began teaching at Spring Oaks Junior High in 1968 and moved to Spring Woods Junior High in 1971, where he taught English and journalism and coached football, basketball, track, and field.

He worked at Northbrook High School in the Spring Branch Independent School District of Houston from the year the school opened, 1973, until 2002. He taught English and journalism and coached track and football. Mike served as Head Track Coach, Varsity Football Secondary Coach and later as football Defensive Coordinator. When he ceased coaching, he served as the head of Northbrook’s Campus Discipline Center. He touched the lives of hundreds of athletes and students with his humor, integrity, and dedication.

On July 9, 1976, he married his loving wife of forty-one years, Connie (Runberg) Bailey.

Mike loved the outdoors and took his family camping and tubing on the Guadalupe and Frio Rivers, swimming at Galveston, and on road trips to many of America’s national parks. He was a man of strong faith who taught his children the fundamental goodness of God. He had a big heart and a big laugh and loved large gatherings of friends and family. He was a passionate fan of the Houston Texans and the Astros (in fact, he spent the last night of his life watching the Astros win Game Three of the World Series) and an avid golfer, reader, and music lover.

Mike is survived by his wife, Connie; his children, Colin, Derek, and Brooke Bailey of Houston, TX, and Melissa Bailey Kutner of Baltimore, MD; nine grandchildren, Drew, Victoria, Brandon, Brynn, Austin, Mason, Landon, Summer, and Chelsea; and sisters Rebecca Wehmeyer and Judy Bubenheim.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 10 am at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Chapel, with Burial and a reception to follow.

Flowers are welcome, but tribute gifts in his name may also be directed to the National Park Foundation.