Michael

Bailey

Michael James Bailey

Michael “Mike” James Bailey was born on November 6, 1958, in Superior, Montana, to Michael “Mick” and Dana Baker Bailey. Mike passed early Saturday morning, November 7, 2026, at his home in Superior.

Mike was raised in Superior, Plains, MT, Cheney, WA, and Coeur d’ Alene, ID. At an early age, he followed his dad around the shop where Mick would service and maintain his logging trucks. He was changing the oil on the logging trucks and helping his dad instead of sitting in front of the TV. In his teens when Mick owned and operated the local Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealership, Mike was racing men and winning. Before the saying, “No Fear,” was even popular Mike was living it.

In 1977, Mike graduated from Superior High School and went on to attend Missoula Vo-Tech (now Missoula College). In March 1979, he married Terry Lynn Neu. Their daughter, Amber Lynn, was born in October 1979. Terry and Mike divorced in 1982.

Mike and Deborah Ruiz lived together in Superior for twenty years when he passed away. In Mike’s younger years he and his brother Gary Bailey were both employed by their father, Mick Bailey & Sons Logging. Eventually, they went out on their own. Mike was a logger and then a truck driver, living in Idaho, Washington, and Montana. After Mike’s retirement, he drove low boy for various friends, including his brother Gary.

Mike enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with family and friends. He was very proud of his daughter Amber and her daughters Jaycee, Teagan, and Ainsley. He rarely missed their sporting events and was very proud of the MSU Bobcats 2026 season. He also enjoyed watching old westerns, said he was born too late. He was an avid NASCAR fan, too. During his high school years, he was often with the Bailey family at their hunting lodges up Fish Creek, hunting, fishing, and having fun.

Mike was also a member of the Bagdad Temple, Shriner’s organization. He was sponsored by his grandfather Herb Baker and they participated in several parades and Shriner events.

Mike is survived by his partner Deborah Ruiz, his daughter Amber Erickson and her family husband Jason, daughters Jaycee, Teagan, and Ainsley, Saco, MT. He is also survived by over one hundred aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand, and greats. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Debra Woodard, his brother Gary Bailey, his grandparents Tom and Jo Bailey and Herb and Lois Baker, and so many others. He leaves his faithful dogs Little Bit and Maggy Mae, at home.

Plans for a celebration of life in the spring of 2027 will be announced at a later date. Special thanks to family, friends, the doctors, nurses, and staff at Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital

in Missoula and the Mineral Community Hospital in Superior. Thanks, also to the ambulance staff, the flight ambulance, etc. for their care and kindness this past year. In 2026, Mike spent several days in the above listed hospitals.

Memorials may be made in Mike’s names to the Mineral County Food Bank, P. O. Box 46, Superior, MT 59872 (phone 406-822-3471) or the Shriner’s Hospital, 911 West 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204, (844-220-9885).