Charles Donald Bailey, age 78 of Frankenmuth, MI., formerly of East Tawas, MI, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2023, surrounded by his loving family after watching his Michigan Wolverines walk off the field victorious. Charles was born on December 20, 1944 in Whittemore, MI., to the late Charles and Ruth (Schuster) Bailey. He married the love of his life, Kathryn (Kesler) Bailey on June 4, 1966. They had nearly 50 wonderful years together and raised two children.
Charles graduated from the University of Michigan with a masters degree in speech communication. He was a teacher at Flint Kearsley Schools, Tawas Area Schools, and an adjunct professor at Alpena Community College and Saginaw Valley State University for many years. Charles was the epitome of a wonderful educator, loved young people, and enjoyed being part of their education. He retired from Tawas area schools in 1997 and from SVSU in 2002.
When he was not teaching he was involved in many community events, especially musical ones. He helped organize and stage local blues concerts, including the Corsair Trail Council benefit concerts. He directed plays for many years at Tawas Area Schools. Charles was a gifted musician himself and played the guitar and harmonica. He also wrote music and poems. He was, of course, an avid U of M fan, spending many a Saturday cheering the Wolverines on to victory. Charles was also member of the Tawas Elks Club, where he enjoyed spending Friday nights with his treasured friends. He loved the beauty of the Tawas area, where you could find him throwing a fishing line in the water whenever possible.
Charles is survived by his children, Chuck (Shannon) Bailey and Jennifer (Tim) Bristol; sisters, Jane (Bob) Weisbrodt and Norma (Mike) Thomas; grandchildren, Chase and Dylan Bailey, Bailey and Evelyn Bristol, and many nieces and nephews.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathryn Dawn Bailey (2015).
Services will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Buresh Funeral Homes in Tawas City. Visitation is at 11:00am and funeral at 1:00pm, followed by internment at Pioneer Cemetery in Sand Lake, MI. Officiating will be Pastor Gary Gillings.
An online guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com to share condolences, memories, and pictures of Charles”
