Thomas Albert Bailey

Thomas Albert Bailey passed away peacefully on November 12, 2020 at the age of 80 in intermountain medical center due to complications from having a stroke.
Tom was born to Albert Clarence and Hjordis Louise Torgersen Bailey in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 3, 1940. Tom was the eighth of nine children. Growing up, he was raised on a small farm with cows, pigs, and honey bees. He loved to watch TV with his family and eat popcorn. Tom graduated from Granite High School in May of 1958. He enlisted in the Navy right before his eighteenth birthday. After boot camp, he was sent to Aircraft Hydraulic School in Memphis where he graduated top of his class with the highest scholastic honors. His job in the Navy was to service and fix aircraft. For his last two years in the service he was stationed in the Philippines where he was honorably discharged with the rank of 2nd class. Before the Navy, Tom had met and started dating Afton LeJoyce Mitchell. Upon his return, LeJoyce, his parents, and his sister Carol picked him up from California. Tom and LeJoyce enjoyed each other’s company on the ride home and one thing led to another. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 15, 1962. They moved to Draper where they raised their four beautiful children. In 2005 they moved to Herriman, Utah.
Tom’s life was characterized by his love and care for LeJoyce and his family, his love for work, and his devotion to Christ. Tom always put his family and wife as a high priority. He loved to take his grandchildren on lawnmower rides and teach them how to do new things. He spent some wonderful moments with his children and grandchildren teaching them to grind wheat, knead bread, wait, knead, wait again, and then bake the most delicious smelling wheat loaves you’ve ever tasted. The bread was not just a family favorite but well known throughout the community. One of our most cherished memories is him dancing and singing with the grandchildren (as well as his own children) to console them when sad, sick, or just tired. Tom always had time to be with his grandchildren. He loves them and they love him.
Ever since the moment he met LeJoyce he treated her with respect and love fit for a queen. He was devoted to serving and caring for his sweet wife throughout his life. In the quiet moments of the night Tom would first read, then sing LeJoyce to sleep with his angel-like voice. Tom always cared for Lejoyce, she was his everything.
Tom was a very hard worker and was always looking for ways to be productive. He supported his family by working his whole life in heating and cooling systems. He started out working for Climate Control (later renamed CCI), then moved on to open his own business, Mechanical Energy Systems. After several years, he went to work for CSI and then moved to Varian, where he remained until he retired. When he was not working, he was serving in his church calling, the community, or tending to his garden. Those who knew Tom knew of his selflessness, humility, and love to serve his fellow man. He never had to be asked to serve. When he saw someone in need, he always helped. He loved gardening and was well known for his delicious produce he grew and shared.
Tom was a faithful and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some of his favorite callings in the church were centered on one of his favorite things about life, service. He loved his time that he had to serve in the Church’s welfare/canning facilities. He and LeJoyce also served an inner-city mission for the church. Tom was called to the ward quorum of the seventy whose primary focus was missionary work. Tom was a fantastic missionary as he exemplified the Savior through his Christ-like love and devotion to the Gospel.
Tom was a fantastic brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all. Yet, we know, as he did, that God has a plan for us all. This plan is the Plan of Salvation. He has been reunited with friends and family, and we look forward to the day that we too will be reunited with him. We have this hope because families are forever.
He is survived by his wife, LeJoyce, brother Keith Bailey, and sisters’, Darlene Monson and Carol (John) Hansen. He leaves four children: Michael (Michelle) Bailey, Tauna (Matt) Kesler, Erick (Anita) Bailey, and Benette (Rob) Galloway; and a beautiful legacy of 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and lots more to come.  He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Betty, Bert, Harry, LaMar, and Ron.
Tom will be laid to rest at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery in Sandy, Utah, on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 2pm. Due to Covid restrictions, a private graveside service will be held.
Service Information

Graveside Service
November 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Mountain View Memorial Cemetery in Sandy, Utah