Dr. Gene Bailey

Dr. A. Eugene Bailey Jr, 74, of Great Falls, took his last breath on Sunday, September 21, 2014 after suffering a stroke caused by arterial fibrillation.A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday (TODAY), September 25, 2014 at OConnor Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.Gene was born just in time for lunch on June 12, 1940 to Arthur E. Bailey and Helen (Chastka) Bailey in Topeka, Kansas. Gene graduated from Topeka High School in 1958. He was a standout athlete in football and baseball. He was offered a major league baseball contract with the New York Yankees, but it was more important to his father that he went to college. He starred at Washburn University in Topeka in football and baseball and was again offered the pro contract, but an injury steered him to dental school in Kansas City, MO. where he graduated and scored the highest score in the nation on the National Dental Boards. Gene joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, allowing him to enjoy his love of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. In 1969, he opened his own dental practice in Great Falls, and was recognized as one of the Top Ten Dentists in America, for many consecutive years. Gene entertained his patients with laughter and jokes until June 9, 2014.Gene met the woman of his dreams, Bernadetta Marie Wangler, 35 years ago at Eddies Supper Club. He married Berni, the love of his life, on October 10, 1986 a perfect fall day in Woodstock, VT by Abner Doubleday, whose grandfather invented baseball. They had three children, Christie, Michael Eugene, and Erick Eugene- who in baseball throws right and bats left, just like his daddy.Genes zest for life, quick wit, dynamic personality, and never ending joke telling lit up a room. There were not enough hours in a day or rays of sunshine for him to accomplish all he wanted to do. His passion for photography was ignited after he shot a 7 point bull elk, he thought, I wish I would have had a camera instead.The Bailey family put over 500,000 miles on their motor home; in one year traveling to all four U.S. borders to pursue his love of photography, laughing and learning all the way! Many great family memories were made on various fishing trips with his prize being an 89 1/2 pound salmon on the Kenai River.Genes father is credited with inventing the sesame seed bun at the Snow White Caf in Topeka, KS. He inherited his love of cooking and had the gift of tasting something and making it, sometimes even better than the original. Most of his creations were successes, except for Split Pea soup on the ceiling.Gene was a master gardener and looked forward to eating his honey, pearl corn, and beef master tomatoes. He always was in awe of his 12 tall sunflowers and one year helped Erick to grow a 405 pound pumpkin.During the 70s, Gene was a home run hitting star on the Borries/Itll Doo +30 softball state championship team and continued playing and hitting home runs until he was 65. He coached Christie to hit home runs in softball and in her life as well. He coached some of Ericks baseball and football teams. At basketball games he could be heard yelling, GOOOO AMIGOS! He also played city league basketball on the Doc Jocs team.Gene was not a religious man, but his faith in God and Jesus was unwavering. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those whose hope is in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary and walk and not grow faint. Isaiah 40:29-31.Gene is survived by his sweetie, Bernadetta (Berni); children Christie and Erick; sister Beverly (Glenn) Hightower and their daughters, Holly, Julie, Heather, and their families; father-in-law William Wangler; brother-in-law Randy (Shiela) Wangler and their daughters, Stephanie (Dave) and Shawnee; and his loyal fur children, Jasper, Turbo, and Winstin Remington grandpas little sled dog.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Tuttie and Barbara; son, Michael Eugene Bailey; and mother-in-law Helen Wangler.Memorial in Genes name may be given to the Gore Hill Volunteer Fire Department; Cascade County Humane Society or Carma Research Institute (Comprehensive Arrhythmia Research Management) http://healthsciences.utah.edu/carma/