Obituaries

Thomas (Tom) Anthony Bailey, 57, of Burlington, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly on May 5, 2026.

Born on December 12, 1968 in Covington, Kentucky to Gerald and Beverly Bailey, Tom was a beloved husband, father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law and friend.

Tom had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick, effortless wit that always brought a smile.

He was an avid sports fan, especially of Notre Dame football (Go Irish!) and UK basketball (C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!). In high school, he ran cross country and played soccer, where lifelong friendships were formed.

He loved the outdoors, always eager for the opportunity to camp, kayak, and spend countless hours pursuing his love of fishing. Always wanting to contribute - and his well-known fondness for chocolate - you could count on Tom to make his famous chocolate cream pies for holiday gatherings.

He was a member of the Florence Baptist Church where he enjoyed the fellowship of the Tuesday morning men’s group program.

After graduating from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Business Management, Tom began what became a 31-year career at Macy’s, ultimately serving as a Manager of Capital Controls. It was there that he met his wife Emily, whom he married in 2002.

They later welcomed two daughters, Hannah and Ava, who he loved deeply and was so proud of. His face lit up every time he spoke about them.

Tom was devoted, caring, and strong. He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts.

Tom is survived by his wife Emily, daughters Hannah and Ava, parents Jerry and Bev, sisters Terri (Dave), Lisa (Bob), Karen (Shayne), brother Steve, nieces & nephews Rob, Jacob (Andrea), Sarah (Zak), Matthew (Shelby), Steven, Kaitlyn, Stephanie (Scott), Sydney (Tony), Lucas, Lauren, Austin and Shelby, several great-nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

Tom was predeceased by his nephews, Nicholas Gripshover and Dylan Whitaker, maternal grandparents Aloysius ‘Babe’ and Angela Krebs, and paternal grandparents George and Gertrude Bailey.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 18 from 6-8pm at Don Catchen Family Funeral Home, 3525 Dixie Highway, Erlanger KY 41018. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 10am at Florence Baptist Church, 642 Mount Zion Rd, Florence, KY 41042.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Gift Fund via the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute.