Chad Bailey

A Visitation for Chad E. Bailey will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Following the visitation, the family will honor his wish for cremation.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Chad will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 11:00am at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastors Eric Hoehn and Paul Bauman officiating.  This service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622

Chad Edward Bailey, 56 years of age, of Holdrege, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Chad was born on October 11, 1965, in Kearney, Nebraska, the second of four children to Kenneth and Keron (Crawford) Bailey. He received his education from Benedict High School, graduating with the class of 1984. He then pursued higher education at Kearney State College, graduating with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Education, with endorsements in History, Social Sciences, Physical Education, and Coaching. While at Kearney State College, he was involved with the Loper Football team as an assistant coach.  It was during his junior year of college, that he met the love of his life, Janet Michele Damgaard.

On August 6, 1988, Chad and Janet were married in a candlelight ceremony at First Christian Church in Minden, Nebraska.  This union was blessed with three amazing children: Jacob Edward, Jenica Jenae, and Jillian XiuFan. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Chad taught Government, American History and Sociology at Holdrege High School until his retirement in May of 2021.  He found immeasurable joy and pride in teaching his many students throughout the years.  Chad always saw potential in his students and pushed them to be the best version of themselves.  He taught them to look past the mistakes they've made and instead, use those choices to learn and grow.

Chad had a profound impact in the lives of his students over his 31 years teaching and coaching at the following schools:  Holbrook Public School, Arapahoe Public School, Bertrand Public School, and 25 of those years, at Holdrege Public School. Chad's passion for US History and The Constitution, led him to a long-term involvement with the "We the People" Civics program, with his senior students at Holdrege Public Schools at the local, state, and national levels. He was also actively involved in planning and implementing the Capitol Forum Program each year at the Nebraska State Capitol, with select high school seniors.  In 2018, Chad humbly accepted the Outstanding Teacher Award by the Nebraska State Council for the Social Studies, while surrounded by his family and his peers.

Chad's love of sports and mentoring kids led him to coaching at several different levels. He served in many coaching positions, including:  football, track and field, basketball, and most recently, soccer, where he bragged about his self-titled position as "Director of Operations".  He loved the friendships that he quickly established with the other coaches, in our school, in our district, and across the state. Throughout the years, Coach Bailey created a positive culture where young men and women could be part of something that brought out the best in each individual. One of the highlights of his career was coaching football in the Shrine Bowl, as an assistant coach in 2014.

Chad loved the outdoors and the farming communities in which he lived.  His interest in agriculture began in high school while trying to make a little spending money at a summer job with Northrup King. After meeting Janet, he began helping her dad on the family farm where many memorable situations occurred. He later helped run a local detasseling business, and enjoyed the conversations he had with those he picked up on his bus route. He enjoyed helping local farmers with their farm or cattle operations by giving them an extra hand on occasion. And for the past several years, Chad enjoyed working as a crop adjuster with RCIS during the summers and falls.  He formed many long-lasting relationships and truly enjoyed the conversations he had with his farmers.

Chad loved spending time with his family, which included:  camping, boating, fishing, golfing, attending concerts, traveling, and playing board games; as long as he was on the winning team! Chad really didn't care what they were doing, as long as they were doing it together.  He always looked forward to experiencing to his annual trip with Janet to Estes Park, usually around their anniversary.  Chad loved his family fiercely.  But above all, Chad loved Jesus, which was evident in the way he loved others.  Chad experienced the saving grace of Jesus and prayed daily for his family and also for his second family at school. Relationships were the motivation behind Chad's infectious personality. And his relationship with Jesus was his priority.

Chad was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Bailey in 2014.

Left to cherish his memory are:  his wife of 33 years, Janet Bailey of Holdrege; his children: Jacob Bailey of Omaha, Nebraska; Jenica Johnston and her husband, Tyler of Omaha; and Jillian Bailey of Holdrege; his mother, Keron Bailey of Hastings, Nebraska; two brothers: Kent Bailey and his wife, Yvonne of York, Nebraska; and Noel Bailey and his wife, Patty of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Dani Fusco and her husband, Steve of Lincoln; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marshall and Patty Damgaard of Minden; brother-in-law: Paul Damgaard and his wife Alimah of Bellemont, Arizona; sister-in-law: Erin Wise and her husband, Dave of Holdrege; along with many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Chad's honor and are kindly suggested to the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer's Association, or to Holt International.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.