Larry Edward Bailey

Larry Edward Bailey, 81, of Garner, North Carolina, went to his heavenly home on June 3, 2021. He was born on November 15, 1939, to Parents Don and Jean Bailey in Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated in 1958 from North Marion High School in Reddick, Florida. After a brief stint in the United States Army, he went on to pursue his first true love-music. His love for playing the guitar spanned all the decades of his life. Taking inspiration from his favorite artist Chet Atkins, Larry could play even the most complicated jazz and country tunes on his beloved Fender Telecaster. He had the honor of once playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and jammed with the likes of Tex Ritter, Claude Gray, and was part of the opening act for Jerry Lee Lewis. Larry also played many small stages in nightclubs around Nashville, Tennessee. He gave music lessons far into his older years. Another lifelong interest of his was collecting antique locks and handcuffs. This fascination began in Larry’s childhood when he wrote a report for a book about handcuff escape artist Harry Houdini. Throughout his life, he spent many Saturday mornings searching his favorite flea market for unique locks to add to his vast collection. Larry worked for many years as a licensed locksmith in Connecticut and North Carolina. Larry Bailey is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol Bailey, and his son Brock Bailey of Garner, NC; his daughter Amber Vincent and grandson Atticus Vincent of Citrus Heights, CA; his sister Connie Jenkins of Indiana; and his aunt Beverly Walden of Kokomo, Indiana. A memorial service to honor the life of Larry will be held on Saturday, June 12 at 1 o’clock in the afternoon at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.