Gerald was born in Winston County, AL on December 29, 1932, to Tom and Eunice Bailey. He was one of four children, the only boy among three sisters, and grew up in Walker County, AL, graduating from Walker County High School.
Gerald proudly served his country during the Korean War. After his military service, he attended Auburn University on the GI Bill. On June 30, 1956, he married the love of his life, Loretta Jones Bailey. They were married for 63 years until Loretta’s passing in 2019. They had two children, Greg and Cheryl.
Gerald’s life was consistently one of service and leadership. As an active member of First United Methodist Church in Cullman, Gerald served as an usher and was active in his Sunday school class. He was instrumental in fundraising that led to the expansion of the church property, buildings and ministry.
Gerald began his career in the poultry industry in 1964, starting with the Pillsbury Company’s poultry operation, which was acquired by Gold Kist in 1971. Gerald continued working for Gold Kist as Field Operations Manager until his retirement in 2002.
Gerald has a long and distinguished history supporting and championing the poultry industry in the state of Alabama. He served as President of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association from 1978 – 1979 and served on the Board of Directors of that association until his retirement. In 1986, Gerald was inducted into the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association Hall of Fame.
Gerald served as the Chairman of Auburn University’s Research Council and was a member of Auburn University President’s Advisory Committee. Gerald worked to secure funding for Auburn’s poultry research farm and led the coalition to build the university’s new state-of-the-art Poultry Science Building, which opened in 2005.
In addition, Gerald was inducted into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor in 2005.
Gerald and Loretta loved Auburn University, and they loved their Auburn Tigers. As season ticket holders, they attended all of Auburn’s home football games, as well as many away and bowl games, for decades.
Gerald will be remembered for his integrity, strong work ethic and dedication to his family. He lived his life with true Christian values: compassion, kindness, generosity of spirit and love for God and people. He will be greatly missed and forever cherished.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Jones Bailey; his parents, Tom and Eunice Bailey; his sisters, Emily Hudson and Nelda Hendon; his nephew, Barry Hudson; and his brothers-in-law, LaNue Jones, Thomas Jones, Larry Williams, Vaughn Hendon, and Don Hudson.
Gerald is survived by his children, Greg (Melissa) Bailey and Cheryl Dilworth; grandsons, Ryan Bailey, Kevin Bailey and Nicholas Dilworth; sister, Betty Law; sisters-in-law Glenda Williams, Sue Jones and Jeanette Jones; and several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Visitation and funeral service will be held at Moss Service Funeral Home, Cullman, AL, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Visitation starts at 10:00 AM. and the funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM.. Burial will follow at Walker Memory Gardens Cemetery in Jasper, AL.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Gerald to the Alabama Poultry Foundation Auburn University Poultry Science Scholarship c/o APEA P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101
To leave condolences for the family please visit mossservicefh.com. Moss Service Funeral Home directing.
