David L. Bailey

David Louis Bailey, 79, of Dearborn, Mich., passed away June 19, 2026, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Known affectionately to family, friends, and students by many names—including Dad, Mr. B, Poppa B, Bene, Daddy Dave, Habibi, and Padre—he answered proudly to them all. His infectious spirit will be greatly missed.

He was born on May 10, 1947, in Detroit to the late Harold and Marguerite Bailey. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Michelle; his two sisters, Barbara Bailey and Maureen Lehman, and her husband Lawrence; his brother-in-law, Frederick “Larry” Ansara, and his wife Shirley; and his nephew, William Ansara.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Kathryn (Alicia) and Elizabeth; his grandson, Jayson; and his nieces, Laura Lehman and Laura Ansara, along with numerous extended Bailey, Ansara and Laham family members and countless friends and neighbors.

Driven by an endless search for knowledge, David was a lifelong learner and a devoted educator. He often spoke fondly of his summers completing post-graduate studies at St. Olaf College and Harvard. His impressive 40-year career began by teaching junior high and English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrants. After earning a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Wayne State University, he spent decades enriching the minds of adolescents within the Detroit Public Schools. He strove to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met, ensuring they felt significant and believed in.

David fully immersed himself in everything he tried, whether diving headfirst into learning new languages or coaching his daughters’ soccer team despite initially knowing little about the sport. He took immense pride in his Scottish and Irish heritage, frequently bringing his sisters and niece to the Highland Games, where he was especially captivated by the caber toss. With that same open heart, he passionately embraced and delved into his wife Michelle’s Arab community.

His vast curiosity extended deep into his personal interests. An avid fan of Star Trek and The Wizard of Oz long before they were considered cool, he also delighted in listening to unique sounds from around the world, ranging from Mongolian throat singing to bagpipe music. It was his genuine willingness to embrace the unfamiliar, the unconventional, and the "uncool" that made his life so incredibly rich. David's welcoming attitude toward everyone who crossed his path made people truly gravitate toward him. He leaves behind a profound legacy of curiosity, kindness, and dedication.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a Trisagion service at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 334 LaGrave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in David's honor to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, the Basilica of St. Mary of Livonia, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David L. Bailey, please visit our floral store.