Alvin Louis Bailey

Alvin Louis Bailey, 88, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2026, at the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Where he was surrounded by kindness,compassion, and exceptional care. We are deeply grateful to the wonderful nurses, CNAs, and entire care team who embraced Alvin with such warmth, dignity, and love, making his final days comfortable and special. Their dedication and heartfelt care will always be remembered by his family.

Born on December 7, 1937, Al lived a life defined by honor, technical ingenuity, and a profound commitment to saving and improving lives. As a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, he served his country during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He specialized in aircraft electrical systems and brought his forward-thinking expertise to a pioneering drone program, where he was instrumental in developing the complex electrical networks that made aircraft flyable—and capable of landing safely—without a pilot on board.

Following his military service, Al channeled his precision and care into medicine as a Respiratory Therapist. He dedicated many years to protecting the most vulnerable as a vital member of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team at Primary Children’s Hospital and as part of the Life Flight emergency transport team. His calm presence and skilled hands helped save countless infants and critically ill children.

Beyond his professional and military achievements, Al's enduring legacy was his 47 years of continuous sobriety and his deep devotion to the recovery community. Through Genesis Books, he became a pillar of support, guidance, and hope for individuals navigating their own journeys of recovery. His quiet resilience, open heart, and life of profound service left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. If you were to ask him, he was simply a “Helper”, but anyone who truly knew Al, knew he was so much more than that.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Durham; his son, Jack Bailey; his parents, Charles Randall Bailey and Katherine Boren Bailey; his sister, Karen Lee Bailey; and his brothers, Henry Forbes Bailey, Steven Morris Bailey, and John Mark Mauerman.

He is survived by his brother, Fred Arthur Mauerman and his wife Marilyn; his loving daughters, Lisa Bowles, Lindsey Terry(Jon Gish), Karen Bailey, and Cori Parkinson. He was a proud grandfather to Taylor, Parker, Ryan, Sage, Memphis, Violet, Danie, and a doting great-grandfather to Brenden and KriStar.

A service to honor Alvin's extraordinary life, military legacy, and medical service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park- 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106 on November 11 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Alvin's memory to the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home, Primary Children’s Hospital, or a recovery charity of your choice.