Christopher Lee Bailey

Christopher Lee Bailey, known to everyone as Chris, is the kind of man you don’t forget. He was the life of the party—the guy with the easy smile, the loud laugh, and the joke that somehow always landed. He never met a stranger, only friends he hadn’t talked to yet. Chris passed away on February 11, 2026, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones, held in the hearts of his family and the many friends who became family along the way.

Chris was born on June 20, 1972, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and shared his birthday with the love of his life, his wife, Michelle Bailey—something he always thought was pretty special. He was a proud United States Air Force veteran and later retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections. He worked hard his entire life and took deep pride in being a provider. Making sure his wife and family were taken care of was never a burden to him—it was his purpose.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Les Bailey, and his mother, Jean Bailey. He is survived by his beloved wife, Michelle Bailey; his brother, Jeff Bailey, and sister-in-law, Lisa Bailey; his daughters, who meant everything to him; and many friends who were not just friends, but family he lovingly chose and welcomed into his life.

Chris was also incredibly proud of his brother-in-law, James Wright, and the work he does with the Department of Corrections. He deeply respected the dedication and service that came with the job and often spoke with pride about James and the important work he did.

His oldest daughter, Rebecca Gordon, and her husband, Cody Gordon, were a huge source of pride. Chris absolutely loved bragging about Cody and his military service and did so every chance he got. If you listened long enough, you were going to hear about Cody whether you asked or not. Rebecca and Cody have two daughters, Ensley and Magnolia Gordon, who brought Chris endless joy and happiness.

Chris was also the devoted father of Jaelynn Martinez. Though not his biological child, Chris raised Jaelynn from birth and loved her as his own in every way that mattered. They were inseparable. He was her biggest supporter, her loudest cheerleader, and her constant presence. Chris loved spending time with Jaelynn at pageants and was so proud of her accomplishments, always beaming as he watched her shine. They did everything together, and their bond was deep, special, and unbreakable.

Chris was also a proud and loving presence in the life of Melissa White, her husband Bryce White, and their three children, Mark “Christian,” Hannah, and Liam, whom he welcomed as family. Though Melissa was not his biological daughter, she was a cherished family friend whom he loved like his own. He was incredibly proud of their children, whom he considered his bonus grandkids, and he loved watching them grow, cheering them on, and bragging about them every chance he got. They brought him so much joy, and he made sure they always knew how deeply loved they were.

Chris followed Jesus Christ and lived his faith through kindness, generosity, and love. He loved traveling, riding his Harley with Michelle, and being anywhere near the water. He could sit at the beach every day and be completely happy. His favorite place was Jamaica, and he loved saying “Yeah mon” with a grin that made everyone around him smile.

He loved coffee, loved his dogs like they were his kids, and loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and animals fiercely. Family meant everything to him—both the family he was born into and the family he built along the way. He worked hard and enjoyed life even harder, finding joy in the simple things and laughter in every moment.

Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, laughter, and unforgettable memories. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in every shared story, every burst of laughter, every motorcycle ride, every pageant memory, and every moment spent loving life the way he did.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Houston Hospice in memory of Chris Bailey:

https://www.houstonhospice.org/donate