Ivan “Sug” Lowell Bailey was born on February 6, 1925, in Moab.
He was the ninth out of 10 children born to Clarence and Fannie Essie “Bam” Bailey. His entire childhood was spent in Moab. He graduated from Grand County High School and attended college at the University of Utah until he entered the military, serving in the Army in World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and for many years he made sure that every deceased veteran had a cross at the cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. He recently received the “Quilt of Valor” in recognition of his military service. A quilt of valor is a lifetime award intended to honor, comfort and heal.
He met his future wife Marlene in Los Angeles, California, and they were married on November 11, 1949 (Veterans Day). To this union, four children were born: Dennis (Christine) Bailey, Pam Every, Brenda Bailey and Matthew Bailey.
Sug and Marlene joined the LDS Church in 1958 and were sealed for Time and all Eternity on March 22, 1960, in the Los Angeles Temple. In 1962, he moved his family to his beloved Moab.
He worked for Fairchild Furniture in California and when he moved back to Moab, he started his own business – first with upholstery, and eventually opening Bailey’s Custom Craft, a carpet and furniture store.
Sug was a big BYU football fan. He had season tickets for years and loved giving tickets to his friends so they could share his passion with him. He was a very giving man; so many family and friends were recipients of bananas, citrus, olives and his favorite apples on Halloween.
Ivan passed away on May 24, 2016, at Moab Regional Hospital with his loved ones by his side. He is survived by his four children; eight grandchildren: Amber, Dustin, Lacy, Masen, Cassidy, Tyrel, Brance and Ian; and 11 great-grandchildren: Tenaya, Laura Pearl, Kyler, Dakota, Wattson, Jaxon, Chantell, Aven, Etta, Trinity and Harper.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, June 1, at the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A viewing was held on Tuesday, May 31, at Spanish Valley Mortuary.
He was truly our guiding force and will be sorely missed.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
