Jan. 2, 1935– Sept. 3, 2026
Clarence Truman Bailey was born January 2, 1935 in Phoenix Arizona to Tom and Lottie (Raley) Bailey. In 1945 the family moved to Port Oklahoma. Truman attended Port school and graduated in the class of 1953. After graduating his dad took Truman to Clinton, Ok. to catch a Trailways bus going to California in search of a better job there. Truman moved to La Jolla CA. where his sister Helen and her husband lived. Truman found odds jobs until he landed a job as a land surveyor for the state of California. In February of 1958 Truman received his daft letter for the military. It was then when Truman enlisted into the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Ord, CA. Truman was then shipped to Korea. Serving as a cook he soon was pulled from the kitchen and into a fox hole. After Korea Truman served active duty until 1963. Then he returned home to Sentinel OK. and started working for Lynn Moore at the gas station. After years with Lynn, Truman went to work for Leland Church on the farm. Working several years for Leland, Truman started a yard mowing business working for his self so he could help take care of his parents Tom and Lottie with their declining health. In 1977 Truman joined the United States Army Reserve and served as a Drill Sargent until 1994 when he retired. Truman served our country for 22 years. Truman Loved his Country and was very Patriotic. In 2014 Truman went to work for the City of Sentinel as grounds and care taker of the Cemetery. He took his job very serious and always kept it maintained to the highest. If you ever needed to know anything about the cemetery he knew exactly the answer.
Truman was a member of the North East Church of Christ for many years where he taught Sunday School classes and was a building and grounds maintainer. He as well Loved the town of Sentinel and didn’t just call it home, he called the people of Sentinel his extended family.
Truman’s hobbies was his garden where he liked to grow vegetables and give away the fruits of his labor. He also helped the Sentinel Public school with their green house teaching kids about gardening. Truman loved kids and loved to speak at school teaching them about our country’s history. Truman was also well known for being a Bee Keeper and making honey from the hives.
Truman is survived by his brother Darrel Bailey of Ft. Worth, TX. Nieces Gail Hays of Bishop CA. Brenda Krewall of Hobart, OK. Gina Hill of Ft. Worth TX. Holly Morrison of Ft. Worth TX. Nephews Mike Bailey of Orewa New Zealand, Steve Bailey of Nolanville TX. Patrick Bailey of Ft. Worth TX. And many great nieces and nephews. Truman was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen Lewis, brothers Elvin Bailey, Leon Bailey, Nephew David and Great niece Quay.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sentinel Cemetery Veterans Memorial where Truman was very instrumental in raising money and helped design the monument.
Funeral: 10:00 AM, Friday, September 11, 2026 at North East Church of Christ in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Visitation: 1:00 - 8:00, Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Hobart, Oklahoma.
Visitation: 1:00 - 8:00, Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Sentinel, Oklahoma.
Interment: Sentinel Cemetery, Sentinel, Oklahoma Services are under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Sentinel.