Lonnie Bailey

He was an early riser who took his mom to the Texas Inn on Mother’s Day to enjoy the fried bologna sandwiches, which they knew they should only have as a treat once a year. He attended the University of Kentucky, where in addition to engineering, he studied hashbrowns at Tolly-ho and Waffle House.

After graduation, he worked in the food manufacturing industry, ultimately working for Pilgrim’s. He traveled all over the country, making friends and finding as many of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives as possible.

Being near water made Lonnie happy, from taking the youngest to touch sharks in Florida to the tornado slide at Great Wolf Lodge, where he’d float the lazy river. He loved fishing and would sing “Power Pole Down” to the kids while waiting for bass and fighting to catch the really big fish.

Nothing made him happier, though, than watching the kids. He was a frequent amusement park visitor, where he’d watch them run from coaster to coaster while enjoying a good howl to “Werewolves of London.” He was a proud chorus dad, even when he couldn’t hum along, and would nearly burst a button each time a kiddo received a diploma. He was always up for adventure, making sure the kids saw big cities and had a clean, safe room to lay their heads — thanks to his Diamond for Life hotel points.

He was the kind of man who texted “love you” to the kids every morning and every night and serenaded them every birthday.

He leaves behind his beloved mother, Jana Bailey; his sons Thomas Bailey and James Bailey (mother Mary Shapouri Bailey Hughes); his daughter Madeline Bailey (mother Tracy Sexton Bailey); and his bonus daughters, Taylor Sexton, Riley Sexton, and Elaina Sexton. He was preceded in death by his beloved father Micaiah Bailey. A celebration of life will be held in his honor in Harrisonburg, VA, on June 28, 2026; rsvp to [email protected].

A fund has been established to support his kids:

https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/lonnie-bailey-memorial-fund