Richard Bailey

Richard Bailey

Richard Warren Bailey, 72, a registered pharmacist and county commissioner for his district, died March 8, 2008, at his home in Adrian, of cancer. Mr. Bailey had a cottage at Evergreen Shores in St. Ignace Township.

He was born October 27, 1935, in Adrian to Myron "Bill" and S. Anne (nee Knight) Bailey.

He married Beverly Ost November 27, 1957.

Mr. Bailey was a graduate of Adrian High School, Class of 1953, and of Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in 1957. Upon graduation, he joined his father in the Hard and Bailey Drug Store on South Main Street, where he had worked as a boy, and he worked there until a second store was opened at 810 West Maumee Street in 1960.

The family was forced to close the downtown store when Mr. Bailey was called to active Army Reserve duty in 1961. In 1989, he sold the business to Arbor Drugs and worked there for three years.

He served in the U.S. Army reserves on active duty with the 392nd Chemical Company in 1961 and 1962.

Mr. Bailey served as director of pharmacy of the Addison Community Hospital from 1992 to 1998, and had worked in the Hudson Pharmacy since 1998. Over the years, he also filled in at pharmacies in St. Ignace and other local stores. He loved his work, and was devoted to serving his customers and sharing his knowledge of remedies, friends said.

In 1994, he made an unsuccessful bid for the state senate and campaigned for the state house in 1998. He has served as county commissioner of District 6 since 2000.

Mr. Bailey was once honored as the Republican of the Year.

He was a member of St. Stephen's Evangelical Church. Mr. Bailey was a 25-year member of the Adrian Rotary, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of American Legion Post 97, and the Devil's Lake Yacht Club, where he served as Past Commodore.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Beverly; two children and their families, Mark and Ginny Bailey of Phoenix, Arizona, and Cheryl and Tim Westbrook of Manitou Beach; a grandson, Andrew Bailey of Adrian; a brother in-law and his family, Larry and Sandy Ost of Adrian; a sister-inlaw and her family, Sharon and Larry Kanous of Tecumseh, and five nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Thomas Daniel.

A funeral was held Wednesday, March 12.

Memorials may be made to the Lenawee Medical Care Facility, St. Stephen's Evangelical Church, or the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements were under the direction of Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian.