Community leader, Howard Bailey, laid to rest Tuesday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hundreds gathered Monday and Tuesday to mourn the loss of Howard Bailey, a pillar in our community, who was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon in Bowling Green.

Howard Eugene Bailey died on Tuesday, Aug. 18 after spending most of his life focused on students and rallying for what he believed was right.

Bailey was a founding member of the first African American Fraternity on campus, founding member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Chapter at WKU and was a member of the fraternity for over 50 years.

Ryan Dearbone, the president of the Bowling Green Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi says Bailey was a backbone for WKU for 45 years.

“He’s always been a voice in the community that’s been outspoken. When something was right, he would champion it, Something was wrong, he would champion it. Everybody knows Howard Bailey, whether you loved him or you hated him. Howard Bailey matters in this community, and this community wouldn’t be what it is without Howard Bailey. There’s things that Howard’s done that most people will never know about because Howard didn’t seek glamor and ‘Hey, tell everybody I did this,’ but he quietly went about his work,” said Dearbone.

He had a long career at WKU, where he was the first African American male hall director and went on to serve as the assistant dean of students, dean of Student Life, associate vice president, dean of students and vice president for Student Affairs. 

Beyond his professional role, he was a mentor and friend to countless students and young professionals.

“Howard has impacted a lot of lives. He has touched many people within the Warren County community, across the state, as well as the nation,” said Rick Stark, Howard’s fraternity brother and friend.

“He had a great influence on our other vice presidents. He would recognize and address things that most of us didn’t see coming, and he spoke his mind. We had a lot of a lot of debates but he was just a great friend and I valued his leadership across our campus,” said Gary Ransdell, former WKU President.

“Farewell, my friend. Job well done. We will try to carry on your legacy,” said Stark.

His legacy will be kept alive in the thousands of students, friends and family whose lives were forever impacted and shaped by the work and dedication of Howard Eugene Bailey.