Timothy Pierson Bailey

Timothy Pierson Bailey

September 26, 1948 – January 16, 2024

Timoty Pierson Bailey was born on September 26, 1948 in Missoula, Montana to Thomas (Honest Tom) Ancil and Josephine Pauline Pierson Bailey (Jo P.). He graduated from Superior High School in 1968 and attended Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana for a brief time before the mountains called him back home. 

The woods were his life; as the son of an outfitter and guide, he followed his father’s footsteps. He was at home in the saddle on his appaloosa, Abe, riding from Clearwater Crossing to Greenwood Cabins, and anywhere in between that brought peace and quiet to him on his way to the Montana/Idaho border. Whether it was chasing the horses through the meadows near Goose Lake or riding into camp in the dark for that next big hunting or fishing adventure, Greenwood was home… the North Fork and West Fork and all the tributaries that fell in-between were home. He loved to share that place with anyone who took an interest and shared a similar passion. Throughout the years, he especially loved making memories at camp and on the trails with his daughters and with a young man he later considered a son, Lance. Everyone who had the chance to enjoy this special place with him got to experience it first with the “Sundown Kid.” Tim was notorious for riding the trails in the dark even if it wasn’t his intention. 

In 1970, he married Kathryn McKinney, and their daughter Jody was born in 1972. Dad quickly took up his next occupation as a log scaler, a special thanks to Kathy’s father. They later divorced and Tim married Donna McMullin. Their daughter Tana was born in 1982. They divorced and later Tim and Cathy DeHass married, and their daughter Caitlin was born in 1992. Following their divorce, Tim and Caitlin lived on the Bailey ranch east of Superior, continuing to ride horses into the mountains to fish the high mountain lakes and visit Greenwood. When time allowed and the snow wasn’t too deep, they would make the time go riding behind the small family ranch, whether for a quick hunting trip or to search for antlers. Tim had been employed for years by Diamond Mill in Superior and through other logging companies across the Pacific Northwest before his health started to intervene. His failing health in later years kept him close to the ranch. During this time, he took up new hobbies such as riding ATVs through the hills with family and friends, ‘supervising’ sometimes successful road hunts, and traveling to Dworshak Reservoir with a good friend to go fishing and visit his ‘son’. Tim passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024 in the comfort of his home with his favorite dog by his side. 

Whether it was a trip to town or a ride behind the house, Tim was always making friends. When he was in a really joyous mood and singing to Willie’s Roadhouse or any other classic country station, you might as well just call him, ‘Timmy the Poet’. He made a lasting impression on everyone he met, and his attitude for life and stories were infectious. His memory was sharp and his wit was quick to deem someone a new nickname. He will be forever missed.

Tim is preceded in death by his grandfather ‘Irish’, his parents Honest Tom and Jo P., his brother and sister-in-law Mick and Dana Bailey, his brothers-in-law Ray Moss and Mike Shiflett, his niece Deborah Bailey Woodard, and his nephew Gary Alan Bailey. He is survived by his daughters: Jody Lynn Bailey Spivey of Montana; Tana Regan (George, and their three children) of Colorado; and Caitlin Ann Bailey (Cody Calhoun) of Superior, MT; his brother Pat Bailey (Sharon) of Orofino, Idaho; his sister Susie Moss of Clarkston, Washington; his sister Linda Shiflett of Meridian, Idaho; and his sister Candace Gonsalves (Chuck) of Rose Lake, Idaho, along with several nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces, and nephews. As well as Tim’s friends and neighbors and finally the menagerie of animals he grew to love with Caitlin’s persistence and Lance’s reassurance over the years on the family ranch. 

A celebration of life and a family memorial will take place in the summer of 2024. 

Gone, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, our father, brother, uncle, and friend. We’ll see you at Greenwood.