Junior A. Bailey, age 88, of Novi, passed away on February 7, 2026.

Born in Rainsville, Alabama, Junior moved to Michigan at a young age, where he spent most of his life. Although Michigan became his home, Alabama always held a special place in his heart. He returned often and never lost his love for where he began.

Junior was a carpenter by trade and a creator by nature. With his hands, his mind, and whatever materials were nearby, he could build just about anything. He proudly built his own home and filled his life with projects that were both practical and imaginative. Within the family, “Junior Bailey-ing” something became a familiar phrase, meaning to engineer a solution using creativity, resourcefulness, and whatever happened to be on hand. His children fondly remember being the only kids in the neighborhood with homemade stilts, even if their safety was sometimes uncertain.

He had a true gift for solving problems and a unique way of seeing the world. Junior never stopped learning or trying new things, whether it meant taking classes at the YMCA, learning a new skill, or studying a new language. His curiosity and determination stayed with him throughout his life.

Raised on a family farm, Junior also had a deep connection to nature. He carried with him a strong appreciation for the outdoors and a lasting understanding of the natural world that helped shape who he was.

Junior will be remembered for his ingenuity, his love of nature, and the countless things he built, not only with wood and tools, but with imagination, persistence, and heart.

Junior is survived by his beloved wife Jane Bailey of almost 70 years; his children, David (Linda) Bailey, Denise (Douglas) Glassford, Karen Freda Bailey, Jeff (Rebecca) Bailey, and Shawn (Jeff) Ramseyer; his grandchildren, Hailey, Jory, Marjanna, Janae, Amanda, Nicholas, Thurston, Ashley, and Sara; and his great-grandchildren, Dylan, Haydn, Launah, Charlotte, Mia, Michael, Kayla, Cashis, Ariyah, Nora, and Luka. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nina Yvonne; his granddaughter, Emily Ramseyer; and his brother Bob (Maryetta) Bailey.

Visitation for Mr. Bailey will be held on Wednesday, February 11th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. He will be laid to rest in Bailey Chapel Cemetery in Rainsville, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Bailey's name may be directed to Western Oakland Meals on Wheels (WOMOW), 11600 Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI  48116.