Gordon "Gordie" J. Bailey

Gordon "Gordie" J. Bailey Jr., age 90, of Newport, MN, passed January 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Son of Gordon and Margaret Bailey, born in Newport, MN on June 18, 1935. He attended St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN and graduated from the Univ. of MN in 1957.

Gordie is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Josephine Anne (Brunner), his brother Rod (Marcia dec.), sister Ginny (Eddie dec.) Bartch, sister Mary (Tom) Campbell, brother Joe (Michael), his seven children: John (Caroline), Mary (Gary) Hope, Pat (Kirsten), Mark (Michelle), Mike (Jami), Melissa (Hugh) Cullen, Joe (Sara). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Katie (James) Bracewell, Megan (Jacque) Davis, Abby (George) Whitehead Georgia (Josh) Hope, Celeste (Zach) Knight, Levi Bailey, Lucy Bailey (Ethan), Fritz Bailey, Nick Bailey (Zoe), Alex Bailey, Mitchell Bailey, Patrick Cullen (Aubree), Christopher Cullen, Maria Cullen, Eleanor Bailey, Milly Bailey and twelve great-grandchildren.

Gordie had a 70-year career at Bailey Nurseries as president and CEO. During his career, Gordie served as President of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) Board and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both MNLA and the American Nursery & Landscape Association. He also served as a trustee on boards for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation, Saint John’s University, Carpenter Nature Center, and received significant recognition from other organizations around the United States. He was also a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Gordie was involved in many fundraisers through the years including biking across the US from Oregon to Boston, raising over one million dollars for the Horticultural Research Institute, and at the age of 79 climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro raising funds for a girls’ school in Nairobi.

Gordie had a deep love of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and was a champion of the environment. He could be found many days either fishing or hunting at his property in southern MN or at the family cabin in Ely, MN simply enjoying the outdoors.

The Bailey family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Morie Gertz, Talamore Woodbury, St. Therese Woodbury, Legacy Homecare, Lifespark and M Health Fairview for their dedication to his care.

Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026 with visitation one hour prior at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park, MN 55071. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be made to St. John’s University Bailey Scholarship Fund, Maryknoll Fritz Endowment Fund, and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

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