Gary “Fuzzy” Paul Bailey, age 74, husband of Cathy Kennedy Bailey, and a resident of Summertown, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System.

He was born on Tuesday, December 4, 1951, to Christine Gilbreath Winters and Paul Bailey.

Gary married the love of his life, Cathy Kennedy Bailey on February 19, 1972. They welcomed two children, a daughter, Tracy, in June of 1973 and a son, Jeremy, in May of 1977.

Fuzzy joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in December of 1973. In February 2003, he got his orders to report for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning home in September of 2004. While overseas, he was promoted to Motor Sargent and could always be counted on to be the first one to brew coffee in the Tennessee Cup of Joe Coffee Tent. He proudly served his country for thirty-six years, retiring as an E7 SFC (Sgt 1st Class).

He previously enjoyed hunting, once bagging two bucks in the same day. The second deer just walked right up while he was field dressing the first. Both of those trophies have been on display ever since and have received many pettings from his grandbabies through the years.

He was always excited and ready to go camping at Cotton Island with his family and friends. Oh, the memories made during those trips. He spent much time preparing, packing everything from cook tents to, yes, even the kitchen sink. He loved fishing. Trot-lines always went out with only the BEST secret bait. The abundant mess of fish caught were always cleaned by Fuzzy and all his fellow fisherman in an assembly line fashion on the tree table. Many a great fish fries have been had with those catches and enjoyed by many. His prize bass hangs mounted on the wall for all to admire. Fuzzy had several fishing buddies during his time on earth and cherished those friendships greatly.

Fuzzy was a jack of all trades, master of some. He often piddled in his shop, building various things…. benches, birdhouses, tv stands, hope chests, stools, a table for a farm set, and many of the family and friend’s favorite “board game.” He always kept a full bucket of peanuts for visitors to enjoy while he worked.

Anyone who knew Gary Bailey knew that he, at times, could be quite stubborn, but that he also had a huge heart and often showed his love with hugs and pinches, followed by a laugh.

He sure loved his kids and grandkids. He installed a pool for the grandkids where they all learned to swim. Most years, he could be heard saying he was going to fill that pool in, but of course, he never did. He could never be missed on the sidelines of Tracy, Jeremy, or the grandkid’s games cheering them on, or, ever so kindly, letting a referee know they need to schedule an eye exam.

Over the years, he and Cathy enjoyed line dancing, comedy shows, concerts, and events. They enjoyed visiting with their many friends, card games with the family, a nightly shared bag of popcorn, cruising in their side-by-side, and aggravating one another which he probably enjoyed more than she did. Their love was a special one; he sure loved his “hippie.”

He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine, father, Paul, grandson, Tristan Heatherly, and brothers in law, Doyle Risner and Ricky Gray.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Cathy, daughter, Tracy Bailey Heatherly, son, Jeremy (Angie) Bailey, grandchildren, Erica Agent, Jacey Bailey, Nicole Heatherly, Hailey Heatherly, Casyn Zander Gary Bailey, and Kenna Bailey, bonus grandchildren, Austin Morrow and Tatelyn Morrow Crosby, great grandsons, Kaiden Paul Laney, and Jadan Agent, bonus great granddaughter, Lynley Harris, sisters, Brenda Risner, Gail (Roger) Patterson, brothers in law, Mike (Brenda) Gaddes, Jeff (Donna) Gray, sister in law, Denise Gray, several nieces and nephews, and his dog, Roscoe, who will miss his rubbin’s.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Jeff Smith officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army. A visitation will also be held on Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the funeral home.