Douglas Murphy Bailey

Douglas Murphy Bailey, 73, of Lavaca, AR passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at his home. Born on May 1, 1953, in Mulberry, Arkansas, Doug was the son of Rheual "Rick" Bailey and Velta Jean (Blassingame) Bailey. Doug was an avid Team Roper, Horse Trainer and Clinician.

From a young age Doug had a talent for riding horses and passion for being a Cowboy. While in school he began working on a cattle operation near his parents’ home. He used the time working on the ranch to train young horses for working cattle. One time he even traded a horse he had trained for Chevelle hot rod.

Doug loved spending time team roping. A love that became a family sport that he was able to share with his daughter Callie, his brother Jack, his nephew Cody and his son Colten Bailey. Doug competed in several rodeo associations, IPRA – International Pro Rodeo Association, CSRA – Central States Rodeo Association and the Senior Pro Rodeo Association in which he won Team Roping Champion Heeler. Doug’s success in the arena is noted by the buckles, saddles and other items he has collected through the years.

However, Doug’s true passion was training and selling horses. He had a gift for understanding the nature of horses and was a part of the natural horsemanship movement. He attended clinics and learned from some of the greatest trainers such as John Lyons, Ray Hunt, and the Dorrance brothers. Doug also followed the training techniques of other great trainers such as Clinton Anderson, Craig Cameron, Pat Parelli and Buck Brannaman. As Doug began to practice these techniques on his own horses with success he began to help others with their horses with notable success. By request, he led many clinics on his own, sharing his techniques and insight with others so they could learn and advance their skills to improve their training ability. Doug enjoyed helping others 1 on 1 at his home arena and offering them support in the competitive arena also.

Through Roping, Rodeo’s, Horsemanship clinics and lessons Doug perceived the biggest gift of all he received were the special friends and friendships he gained along the way. Doug was a kind person that was full of quick wit and cynicism, but he truly cared about his friends and family, and he will surely be missed.

Those that remain to honor his memory are his daughter, Callie Stuart, her husband Rusty of Lavaca, Arkansas; his son, Audie Bailey and his wife Tisha of Spiro, Oklahoma; his sister, Theresa Williams of Mulberry, Arkansas; his nephew Cody Bailey and wife Heather of Ozark, Arkansas and their 2 children Colten and Brooklyn; his niece Kelsie Bailey and partner Eric Youngblood and their 3 children, Dani, Bailey, and Laynee.: Four grandchildren: Olevia Courtney Gilbreth, Caitlyn Mabry, Wyatt Murphy Bailey, and Glendon Joseph Gilbreth; and Five great-grandchildren: Cypress Bailey, Delilah Marquez, Sophiah Marquez, Marleyah Marquez, and Adaira Bailey.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Rheual (Rick) and Velta Jean Bailey (Blassingame); his sister, Ollivette Bailey; his brother, Jack Bailey; and his grandson, Weston Bailey.

A Memorial Service and Visitation will be held at the Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel, 4100 Alma Hwy, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956 on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

Doug’s family would like to request you to be prepared to share your best stories and memories at the service. Doug loved attention and had an appreciation for a good story so let’s honor his memory by sharing these stories.