KEVIN KENDALL BAILEY

Kevin Kendall Bailey was born July 16, 1950 and died February 21, 2008. He is preceded in death by his son Adam and beloved pets Jogsy, Czeck, Poncho, and Smokey. Kevin lost a valiant fight with cancer. Services honoring Kevin will be on Monday, February 25, 2008, at 4:00 p.m., at Robert Massie Funeral Home, 402 Rio Concho Drive, San Angelo. Kevin loved sitting on his deck at his home watching the birds, deer, and enjoying nature with his wife Cathy and their three dogs Yugo, Ebony, and Rufus. Kevin served 22 years in U.S. Army Intelligence as a linguist. He was most proud of the linguistic training program he developed that had a 90% success rate in training new linguists. Kevin was selected to be the translator for the ceremony when the Cold War wall came down in Czechoslovakia and was honored in Stars and Stripes for his participation. Kevin was also a recipient of The Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership of Alpha Company, 108th Military Intelligence Battalion. Kevin spent much of his Army career in Germany. Kevin continued his love of the Slavic cultures by regularly attending the Oktoberfest celebration in Fredericksburg, Texas. Upon retirement from the Army as a Master Sergeant, Kevin found a new career teaching in San Angelo, Texas. During his teaching career he taught at John Glenn Junior High School and the 9th Grade Freshman Center. Kevin's love of other cultures and the history and customs of different groups of people lead him into a teaching career in world geography. Kevin was a gifted teacher who impacted the lives of many students and the work of his colleagues. Kevin interest in learning new things and in improving his own knowledge and skills made him an excellent role model for his students and the colleagues in his school. Kevin's 14 years as a teacher were the highlight of his life and his love, compassion, and caring for his students made him an outstanding teacher. Kevin was a people person known for his intelligence, play-full bantering, and his sense of humor. Kevin believed in taking on life's challenges head on and did so in his fight to overcome his cancer. He often said,"It is what it is." Kevin's love of Cathy and their three dogs, and his caring for his extended family made him an important part of everyone's live. Kevin's involvement with Cathy's family, the summers in Pinetop Arizona with Cathy's father and mother, his fishing trips with family members, his discussions of sports with his mother, his shared love of nature with his father, and his being a big brother to his two sisters Peggy and Kris made him an important part of his families' life. Kevin is survived by his wife Cathy, their three dogs, Ebony, Rufus and Yugo, his mother Dorothy Davis, father John Bailey, sisters Peggy Lewis and Kris Miller, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Tony and Barbara Komadina. Kevin will live on in the hearts and minds of all that knew and loved him. The family is requesting to honor Kevin's memory; memorials have been set up in Kevin's name with the American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 or the Humane Society of Tom Green County (3142 U.S. Highway 67 North, San Angelo, Texas 76905) in lieu of flowers.