Densel Harold Bailey

© Greer Funeral Home
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Densel Harold Bailey, age 91, of Mangum, passed away early Monday morning, December 24, 2012, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Bailey was born May 26, 1921, near Vinson, Oklahoma to Bob and Emma (Osborn) Bailey. He grew up on a cotton farm where there was plenty of work and “fresh air.”

After graduating from Vinson High School, Densel married his high school sweetheart, Lorene Pence. They were married for 59 years, and to this union was born two girls, Sharon Kay, in 1942, and LaNelda Joye in 1947. During WWII, Densel served in the U.S. Army as a Radio and Radar Service Technician. After the war, they moved to Wichita, Kansas where Densel worked 5 years with Cessna Aircraft and 2 years with Western Electric. In 1947, he moved his family back to the farm at Vinson where they spent a few years farming. They relocated, in 1956, to Mangum, where he worked at the Mangum Post Office until retirement. Densel, inspired by the thought of a new career, attended a television and radio repair school in Oklahoma City and opened his own shop.

On July 3, 1999, Densel was blessed with a second wife, Mary Halford, and a loving extended family. With Mary and family he practiced his life-long passion for camping and fishing at Fort Cobb. They also enjoyed games and coffee with friends on a daily basis. He loved his “Do Nothing Coffee Gang.” Densel's greatest happiness came from family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Densel was a faithful member of the Mangum Church of Christ, a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge and the Good Sams Camping Club. Patriotism was evident in his 60 plus years membership in the American Legion.

Densel was a man of many talents and called “Mr. Ingenious.” His wood working, art, ability to fix anything and his inventive nature were astounding. He lived a long, full, wonderful life.

Preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Lorene, on January 16, 1998, he is survived by Mary, his loving wife, of the home; two daughters, Sharon Rizley and husband Keith of Sayre and LaNelda McDaniel and husband Glenn of Stillwater; Grandchildren, Kim and Kevin Rizley, Brent and Erin McDaniel; Great grandchildren, Tristan and Bailey McCullough, Konner Rizley, Tatum McDaniel; Extended family, Lisa and Phil Stehr of Altus, Craig and Kandy Halford of Lindsay; Grandchildren, Anna Rogers, Lindsey and Tessa Stehr, Dereck and Chad Halford; Great-Grandchildren, Luke, Zeke and Beau Rogers, Steven and Carson Halford along with a host of other relatives and many friends. He will be dearly missed by all.

Funeral services for Densel Bailey will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 27, 2012, at the Mangum Church of Christ with Eddie Beard officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family at Greer Funeral Home