Leonard Perry Bailey, Jr.

Leonard “Perry” Bailey, Jr., age 86, of Kettering, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025.

An Ohio native, he was born December 31, 1938, in Piqua. Early in his life, Perry discovered a passion for music and signing, a talent he developed through his participation in many choir groups. After high school, he joined the a cappella choir at Miami University, where he was also active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Through a social function with a M.U. sorority, he was introduced to Marianne Flee, who he would later wed in a “Miami merger” that would last 65 years.

Perry graduated with his Bachelor of Arts from Miami University. After serving his country in the US Army, Perry advanced his career as a civilian on Wright-Patt Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. As munitions director, he was playfully known as “The Bomb Man.” Marianne was the love of Perry’s life. They were blessed with two children, Susan and Todd. To his beloved family and group of cherished friends, he will be remembered as outgoing and caring. He enjoyed coaching ice hockey and had a love of the outdoors. He was a member of the Kettering Beautification Committee, who in his leisure time might be found hiking or cycling. Perry and Marianne joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in 2002, where he sang in the choir for over 20 years. In their retirement years, the pair made precious memories travelling the British Isles, Europe, and South America; a favorite destination city was London, England. To those he leaves behind, these memories endure in “an afterglow of smiles.”

Perry was preceded in death by his son, Todd Lewis Bailey; sister, Nancy Bailey Taylor; mother, Rachel Lewis Bailey; and father, Dr. Leonard Perry Bailey.
Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Marianne Bailey; daughter, Susan Elizabeth Bailey; brother, Edward G. (Susan) Bailey; special nieces and nephews, USMC Capt. Edward G. (Stephanie) Bailey III, Dr. Elizabeth (Tom) Bailey Magrino, David (Gail) Taylor, Michael Taylor, Timothy (Connie) Taylor, Tobbi (Gary) Timms; and a host of treasured friends.

Perry’s final resting place is located in the Old Glory Plaza at David’s Cemetery in Kettering. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Westminster Presbyterian Church (125 N Wilkinson St., Dayton), followed by a gathering of family and friends in the church’s social hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Perry to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Music Fund or SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center.

Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways
of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I leave when life is done.