An MTF Tribute to our friends         
Rick and Barbara Bailey       

Barbara Bailey, age 46, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2017
Rick Bailey, age 64, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017


Click here to read Barbara's announcement -->
Click here to read Rick's announcement -->


Official Obituaries

Barbara Bailey

Barbara Bailey, age 46, of Duncanville, AL, went to be with the Lord Friday, June 14, 2017. Services will held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 2:00 pm Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Greensboro, AL. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Virginia Boothe. Survivors include her husband, Richard L. Bailey Jr. Duncanville, AL.; daughter, Cora Lee Thompson; father, Thomas E. Boothe (Marbury, AL.); sister, Hazel Rawlinson; and brother Thomas Boothe Jr. (Marbury, AL). A Troy Graduate and member of the Sound of the South Band. An avid motorcycle Pillion she was an honored member of the Iron Butt Association and rode in every state you can ride to.


Rick Bailey

Richard L. Bailey, Jr. age 64, passed away on October 16, 2017 at his residence in Duncanville, AL . Services will be 12 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2017, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South with Rev. Steve Vernon officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Greensboro City Cemetery. Survivors include his son Chris Bailey; sisters, Alison Beck and Laurie Ann Bailey; grandchildren, Krystle Westbrook, Tyler Bailey, Aaron Dill, Devyn Bailey, and Christina Bailey. Richard retired from the US Army as a Command Sergeant Major, school teacher, and real estate appraiser. He spent the years after retirement traveling the United States; first by traveling the waterways of Alabama on a Seadoo, making several trips from Tuscaloosa to Orange Beach pulling a water trailer behind his personal watercraft. He later moved to the road and his 2 wheeled toys and participated in countless Motorcycle rallies. He enjoyed the challenge, competition, and the relationships that he developed within the LD rider community.



A few select comments from Barbara and Rick's MTF Friends:

Rick and Barbara Bailey were two people who won a two-up rally more than once.  Wednesday Barbara lost her battle with some health issues.  Below are Rick's words about his wife and rally partner... She will be missed by many of us.

The LD community lost a good one today. Barbara Bailey lost her battle with kidney failure, all attributable to undiagnosed diabetes in her younger days. It really is a silent killer!

What a resume she had for a pillion and what a pillion she was. In hundreds of thousands of miles, in every state you can ride to, countless undocumented SaddleSores and Bun Burners, and there was never a complaint, and almost always cheerful even when she was tossing her cookies. She never griped about the weather even when the frogs strangled and icicles formed on the bike or the temperature reached triple digits. She was cheery despite the conditions or lack of sleep. You could not ask for a better pillion or a rally partner. I lost track of all our rally adventures, but more memorable Voids, Cape Fears, Team Lyles and Not Supermans come to mind. The only missing piece of the puzzle was the Iron Butt Rally and health precluded that piece from the puzzle.
-Rick Bailey, Tuscaloosa, AL.
    -    David Gillespie with a quote from Rick Bailey

Wow, she was a really nice person. When I first started going to rallies and didn't know anyone she and Rick sat at the table I was at. Talked as if I was an old friend. Sure made me feel welcome and not so much the newbie. Great loss to all of us, condolences to the Bailey family.
    -    gator1606

Barbara was an amazing woman, and everyones comments are accurate.  While her body didn't, her character had a strength that was immeasurable.  She and Rick were very, very good together.  They had a relationship that the rest of us should try to emulate.  RIP Barbara.  You've earned it.
    -    Mike Donley

Of all the people I have met during rallies, Rick and Barbara were probably the people I spent the most time with. From breakfast at the beginning of the rally to commiserating with each other after scoring, we always seemed to drift together. I will miss her.
    -    flars

RIP Barbara. It is always good to look back on the good times. Karen and I had some of those times with you and Rick on our trip to Alaska. Rick we are sorry to hear of your loss, God Bless. seeya Larry & Karen.
    -    aaarv1

From the LD forum:

It is with sadness that I have to report that Rick Bailey passed away over the weekend.

Many in the LD world knew of the two-up team of Rick and Barbara Bailey whether in a rally (Cape Fear, Utah 1088, Not Superman, Big Tex, Void, Florida Digital, to name a few) or on a number of flower sniffing rides sponsored by the MTF or IBA.

Barbara passed away earlier this summer from diabetes complications.

They were both great ambassadors to our "sport" and would go out of their way to help a fellow rider.  Although Rick suffered a stroke last year while riding, he was making remarkable progress and was already making plans to see the States on a Slingshot in the coming year.

For those that are able, visitation is scheduled for Thursday October 19th at 11 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at noon.  Both will be held at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home at 6100 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, AL.

-David Clark Dunwoody, GA.
    -    Phil "Stargazer"

So sorry to hear this but it's nice to know they're together again.
    -    Bill Campbell

I was texting Rick last Wednesday about Ray's Digital Rally and him piloting the slingshot. He said if he finished that would be a win, especially without his co-pilot. I just can't believe it. First Barbara now Rick. We've lost some great people and friends.
    -    Robert Rehkopf

So sorry to hear this.  It must've been tough on Rick losing Barb while trying to recover himself.  They were nice folks & will be missed.
    -    Mike Borolla

That was a happier time.  Rick and Barbara really ingrained themselves in our heart during that ride (Hyder 2015).  It was amazing how they could rally ride when needed, and flower sniff when needed, and based on some of the construction sites up there, RRR when needed.  They were a powerful team, and it is somewhat comforting to think of them together again.

I miss them both, and offer strength to their children and others who loved them.
    -    Mike & Jean Donley


Some photos of Barbara and Rick




    Rest In Peace Together Barbara and Rick!