Richard Max Bailey March 9, 1957 ~ July 13, 2023

On July 13, 2023 we said goodbye to a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend with the sudden passing of Richard (Rick) Max Bailey.
Rick spent his last days with his favorite people, his family, at his favorite place, his home and ranch in Monticello.
Rick was born on March 9, 1957 in Monticello, the youngest child and only son of Max and Bessie Bailey.
He was welcomed into life by three proud older sisters, who quickly became his lifelong friends.
As a boy, Rick was often spotted on the corner of his childhood home, digging up the flower beds with his favorite toy trucks. An act he only got away with because he was the baby boy of the family.
As he grew up, Rick worked at Spring Creek Ranch with his father and developed a love of hard work, land stewardship, and personal responsibility.
In high school, Rick was a star defensive back for the Monticello Buckaroos, donning the number 33 and some of the best lamb chop sideburns around.
He graduated from Monticello High School in 1975, attended one semester of college at Utah State University, and then served an LDS mission in Santiago, Chile. Upon his return from his church service, Rick decided to lay down roots in his hometown.
In 1980 Rick married his best friend, Marilee Hugentobler, in the Provo Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Having cherished their own experiences in Monticello, they built their home there which they shared for 32 years.
Hoping to have a family full of boys for free ranch labor, Rick and Marilee welcomed three girls into their fold before their son was born.
Shortly after the family was given their greatest blessing, the addition of their sweet angel Jenna.
Rick worked in Monticello for most of his professional career, including employment at First Security and First Western National banks.
Following his time in the banking industry, Rick secured employment as a County Administrator for San Juan County, where he would work for 29 years.
Due to his efforts, emergency services and management throughout all of San Juan County were expanded and developed, putting the rural county in a better position to serve its residents.
Rick loved serving and making a difference in his local community. A unique highlight of his time was providing security for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
Following retirement from San Juan County, he worked for nine years as the Emergency Management Director for the Grand County Sheriff’s office.
In 2012, the unthinkable happened when Marilee passed away after a battle with cancer.
Losing Marilee was very difficult, however, following her death the family was blessed to welcome Roberta Musselman (aka Jenna’s “girlfriend”) to the family when she married Rick in July of 2013.
The couple shared a strong bond of love and support, caring deeply for one another, their children, and their grandchildren.
Rick was a man of faith and had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He lived a life of service, holding several church callings, including serving as a counselor in the Stake Presidency.
His favorite calling was serving those around him, especially in extreme times of need. Rick often was there to help pick up the pieces in emergencies and provide a calming sense of stability for those in need.
Rick loved his family, especially his grandchildren. His favorite times were spent with them, taking them to the ranch to ride four wheelers, brand cows, and enjoy the land he spent his entire life caring for.
Rick is proceeded in death by his wife Marilee Bailey, his father and mother Max and Bessie Bailey, fathers-in-law, Joel Anderson and Merz Hugentobler, and brothers-in-law Jim Goodwine and Evan Lowry.
He is survived by his wife Roberta Bailey, and children Kelli (Peter) Washburn of Hunstville, AL, Heidi (Josh) Moss of Ogden, UT, Alisa Bailey of Riverdale, UT, Ryan (Morgan) Bailey of Riverton, UT, Kyle (Katrina) Musselman of Richfield, UT, and Jennalee Bailey; ten grandchildren Max Washburn, Jillian Washburn, Lewis Washburn, Miles Washburn, Miah Moss, Bailey Moss, Zoey Moss, Evan Bailey, Lilly Musselman, and Cooper Musselman; sisters Tanya Lowry, Judy (Larry) Skinner, and Debra (Craig) Halls; and mothers-in-law Dora Gay Anderson and Merilyn Hugentobler.
A viewing and celebration of life for Rick will be held on Thursday, July 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Monticello Stake Center.
Everyone is invited to come share stories of Rick and celebrate him.
A private family service and graveside will be held the following day.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to Primary Children’s Hospital or the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Card of thanks
We would like to send our thanks to the staff at San Juan Hospital who worked tirelessly to help Rick following his heart attack. Words are not adequate to express how grateful we are for the care to him, as well as us during that difficult situation.