Roger Lee Bailey, 56, of Lillian, Texas, formerly of Lisbon, died Jan. 23, 2013, at the Mansfield (Texas) Methodist Hospital. Services will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Skyvue Funeral Home in Mansfield, with military honors. Burial will be at a later date at Mechanicsville Cemetery in Mechanicsville.

Survivors include his children, Ryan and Eric Bailey; brothers, Don (Jean) Bailey, Walker, Steve (Janet) Bailey, Mansfield, Texas, and Richard Bailey, Cedar Rapids; sister, Kathy (Rick) Sparrow, Tipton; four grandchildren, Isabella and Ryan Bailey and Joshua and Danessa Bailey; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Rose Bailey; and grandparents, Grant and Selma Albaugh and Don and Ita Bailey.

Born Dec. 22, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Roger attended Lisbon Schools and was a member of the 1974 State Wrestling Championship Team. He finished 4th at 185 pounds. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1975 and was a BM3 on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). After his honorable discharge in 1979, he pursued truck driving. He married Carol Merwin in November 1980; they later divorced. In 1987, he decided to try his hand at ironworking. He was then accepted into the Ironworkers Local 89 Apprenticeship.

Then on Memorial Day 1988, Big Rog suffered a serious diving accident which forever changed his life — and ours — Local 89 held a benefit in which a handicapped van and deck and ramp were provided. He attended Kirkwood Community College before moving to Texas in 1997. There he attended the University of Texas at Arlington studying accounting and computer business. He was presently living in Lillian, Texas and working for Lawrence Towing as night dispatcher and bookkeeper.

The family would like to thank his lady caregivers and special friends, Kristi from Iowa and Helen from Texas; Eric, Shelley and Zane Lawrence of Lillian, Texas and Robert, Dawn and Jack Barnhill of Alvarado, Texas for the many times they helped out Big Rog. Also Local 89, friends and family for their support while Roger was in the chair.

He was a rock and very independent. He will be sorely missed. RIDE FREE OUR BROTHER.

Published Feb. 1, 2013 in The Gazette