Alden O. Bailey

Alden O. Bailey
Colonel, USMC (Ret)
Alden Bailey, 93, of Granbury and Pasadena passed Oct. 4, 2017. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 8th at Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury from 6-8 pm. Funeral Service at First United Methodist Church, Granbury Monday Oct. 9th at 11:00 a.m. and Graveside Committal Service Oct. 10th at 10:00 a.m. Forest Park Lawndale in Houston Texas, with reception following in the Chapel.
Alden was the only child of Ben and Addie Bailey, born in Pasadena, Texas on August 17, 1924. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1941 and entered Sam Houston State Teachers College that fall on a Music scholarship. In December 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in early 1945 and arrived on Guam and joined the 3rd Marine Division as World War II ended. He was transferred to China and joined the 1st Marine Division. He returned to the states and was released to inactive duty in October 1946.
Alden returned to Sam Houston and graduated in the summer of 1947, with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and began teaching as High School Band Director at Cedar Bayou High School.
In the fall of 1948, he met Dorothy Jane Roberts (his bride of 68 years) and they were married in January 1949.
In January 1951 he was called back to active duty in the Marine Corps for service in Korea with the 1st Amtrac Bn., attached to the 1st Marine Division. In June 1952 he returned to the States and was released to inactive duty.
Alden returned to teaching at Cedar Bayou and he and Dorothy returned to their home in Baytown. When he began teaching, he attended the University of Houston on weekends. He was awarded a Master of Education Degree in 1955.
In 1954, he left teaching and joined the family business, Frontier Ranch Motel in Pasadena, Texas.
Over the years he engaged in several business ventures; Frontier Ranch Motel and Alden’s Restaurant that expanded into Rodeway Inn, Skyliner Club and Restaurant; Tex-Mex Brick and Import Co.; an Apartment Project in Albuquerque, NM and a Condo Project in Santa Fe, NM.
While in business, he served the community in several ways, serving as President of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce; Vice President and Member of the Pasadena School Board; President of the Pasadena Rotary Club; District Governor of Rotary District 589; President of the Houston Motel Association; District Chairman, Boy Scouts of America, and as an active member of Pasadena First United Methodist Church. He was honored as Young Man of the Year in Pasadena in 1959. In Granbury, he has been active in the American Legion; Marine Corps League, The Military Officers Association, Granbury First United Methodist Church, and Granbury Rotary Club.
Alden maintained his Marine Reserve activity and served in many assignments, some of which were Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines; 8th Staff Group; VTU 8-2 and VTU 8-22 all were in Houston. He was also Chief of Staff of the 21st Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Camp Pendleton, CA; President 8th Marine District Policy Board in New Orleans and as a member, for three years, of the Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board in Washington, D.C. He attended several Reserve Schools, such as the Naval War College, the Armed Forces College and the Army Armored School, etc.
Alden retired in 1984 with the rank of Colonel with 20 United States and Foreign Award and campaign medals.
Alden and Dorothy were blessed with three children:
Alden Jr. “Buster” (deceased) and wife Vicki of Missouri City, TX
Deborah and husband Larry Garnett of Glen Rose, TX
Ronald and wife Melissa of Sugarland, TX
Five grandchildren and their spouses, and Seven Great Grandchildren
Alden was a loving husband, father, and Grandpa.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Granbury First United Methodist Church or Pasadena First United Methodist Church.
Honorary Pallbearers:
The Members of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines
The Members of the American Legion, Granbury
The Members of the Marine Corps League
The Military Officers Association
The Masonic Lodge
The Rotary Club
Wiley Funeral Home made arrangements.