Paul Albert Bailey Jr.

October 22, 1940 – August 27, 2026

IN THE CARE OF

A memorial service will be held at Parkway Presbyterian Church, 3707 Santa Fe St, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, US, on September 5, 2026 beginning at 12:00 PM.

Paul Bailey Obituary – Corpus Christi, TX

Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery

Paul Albert Bailey, Jr., of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, at the age of 85. Born October 22, 1940, in El Paso, Texas, Paul lived a life marked by devotion to his family, service to his community, a love of learning and craftsmanship, and a genuine ability to make friends wherever he went.

Paul graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, where he served as drum major. He began his college education at Arizona State University studying engineering before transferring to the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pre-dental studies. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 1965.

That same year, Paul met Carolyn Elaine Kennedy at the University of Texas Dental School. Their romance began, quite literally, over someone’s mouth—Carolyn was studying dental hygiene and Paul was studying dentistry. It may not sound like the most romantic place to meet your future wife, but somehow it worked. After graduating from dental school, Paul served as a dentist in the United States Air Force in Turkey. After his first year there, he flew home to Corpus Christi to marry Carolyn on June 25, 1966, so that they could spend his final year of military service together.

In 1967, Paul and Carolyn returned to Corpus Christi, where he established his dental practice and began building the life that would become his greatest legacy. In 1969, they welcomed their first child, Renee, and over the years their family grew to include four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he took great joy in being “Dad,” “Granddad,” and “Great-Granddad.” He loved teaching the younger generations the important things in life—including how to fish and how to mow a yard properly. He took great pride in a perfectly mowed lawn and considered himself something of a lawn professional. His family learned that there was a right way to mow a yard, and Paul was more than happy to teach them.

He loved taking his family fishing on his boat and spending days at the beach. After retirement, some of his happiest times were spent in the yard with his grandchildren, playing and watching them color with chalk on the driveway. Paul loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply, and they knew it.

Paul especially treasured Friday nights with his family. The family would go out to dinner together, often with 10 to 20 family members, and then everyone would gather back at Paul and Carolyn’s house for more visiting. Stories about the week were shared, laughter filled the house, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren played together in the backyard. To Paul, those evenings were never really about where they ate—they were about having everyone together.

Paul was curious, creative, and never one to sit still for long. He loved to travel, enjoyed country music, and took great pride in woodworking, creating beautiful and often remarkable pieces of furniture by hand. He also enjoyed returning to El Paso to visit his mother, Mary Frances, and his sister, Suzy.

A lifelong believer in giving back, Paul devoted countless hours to his profession and his community. He was active in the Nueces Valley District Dental Society, serving as president, chairman of several committees, newsletter editor, delegate and alternate delegate to the Texas Dental Association, and in numerous other leadership and service roles. He also served the Texas Dental Association on committees involving membership benefits, reference matters, governance, and the organization’s headquarters.

His commitment to service extended well beyond dentistry. At Parkway Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi, Paul served as an elder, chaired the pledge drive and Budget and Finance Committee, participated in Christian Education committees, and led weekly adult Sunday School classes. He was active with the Corpus Christi YMCA, including serving as chief of the Y-Indian Guides program, and was involved with Chula Vista Elementary School as PTA president, vice president, and fundraising chair. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, and Al-Amín Shrine Temple, where he played tenor saxophone in the band.

Paul was also deeply committed to his recovery and to helping others find hope, fellowship, and a better way of life. He was proud to be a “Friend of Bill W.” and found great meaning in the friendships, service, and fellowship that came through his recovery. He was always willing to listen, share his experience, encourage someone who needed it, and help another person find hope. His generosity of spirit and willingness to help others were important parts of the man he became.

Paul was a man who never met a stranger. He loved to talk, listen, tell stories, and exchange stories with others. He had a way of making people feel welcome and valued, whether they had known him for decades or had just met him.

Those who knew Paul will remember him through the family he loved most: his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Carolyn Elaine Kennedy Bailey; their children, Dr. Renee Van Stavern of St. Louis, Missouri, and her husband, Dr. Gregory Van Stavern, and their daughter, Olivia; Barton Bailey of Corpus Christi and his children, Cole, Anna, and Lauren; Kristin Chrobocinski of Corpus Christi and her children, Tyler Chrobocinski and his wife, Jessie, Cameron Chrobocinski and his wife, Mary, and Liliana Garcia; and David Bailey of Bastrop and his wife, Teresa, and their daughter, Maelynn.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Jackson and Everett Chrobocinski, children of Tyler and Jessie; and Amelia, Briar, and Dean Chrobocinski, children of Cameron and Mary.

Paul is survived by his sister, Sue Ellen “Suzy” Busalacchi, and her husband, Jim, of La Luz, New Mexico. He is also survived by Carolyn’s brother, Randall “Randy” Kennedy and his wife, Sharon; nephew Clinton Kennedy and his wife, Deanna; niece Nicole Allen and her husband, Jason; and their children, Madison, Emily, and Sarah.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Albert Bailey, Sr., and his mother, Mary Frances Kirkpatrick Bailey Coble.

Paul’s greatest legacy will be found not only in the many organizations he served, the dental profession to which he devoted his career, and the countless ways he gave his time and talents to his community, but also in the family he loved so deeply, the friendships he made, the people he encouraged, and the stories he shared. He leaves behind a legacy of service, generosity, craftsmanship, humor, and love—a life that touched people in ways both great and small.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever a part of the family stories he loved so much to tell.

A memorial service will be held at Parkway Presbyterian Church, 3707 Santa Fe St, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, US, on September 5, 2026 beginning at 12:00 PM.