Jon Richard "Rick" Bailey , 65, of Fowler, passed away while under palliative care on Monday, January 9, 2023 as a result of pneumonia complicating a 5-year COPD diagnosis. He was born on May 24, 1957 to Donald Bailey & the late Mary Lou (Holihan) Bailey. He was a 1975 graduate of Benton Central High School where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business & Finance from Ball State University, in 1982, leading to a career mainly in HVAC sales.

Rick accumulated many athletic awards & records while attending Benton Central, most notably his two longstanding football records, career passing yards & career pass attempts, he held both records for an incredible 38 years. The WXUS radio station award epitomized Rick best when he was named the winner of the "Mr. Excitement" award in 1974. Those who truly understood Rick appreciated his dynamic force & sometimes exhausting energy level. Those who feared his energy missed knowing his genuinely kind-hearted soul, despite an occasional random outburst here & there to make his point or sometimes, for no reason at all. Rick remained a devoted fan of BC athletics & enjoyed following the progress of the younger generation. Rick continued his academic & football career at Ball State University. A career-ending injury resulted in Rick switching gears to become a 2-year letter winning outfielder on the BSU baseball team. He sustained a .333 batting average that included knocking in several career runs with triples, homers & a grand slam or two. While attending BSU, Rick played semi-pro baseball with the Kokomo Highlanders during the summer to stay involved with baseball during the off-season.

Rick's greatest pleasure in life was escaping to Costa Rica to visit his special friend, Joy McCoskey where he enjoyed the physical challenge of working on a lobster boat & capitalized on the opportunity to bring youth baseball to a poverty-stricken community. With the help of a close Benton County friend donating athletic gear, Rick once said he felt like Santa Claus each time he returned to Costa Rica with bags full of equipment. Rick will forever be remembered as a loyal friend, a fierce & energetic competitor with the combined physical strength of Hercules & Bamm Bamm. Friends were amazed with his steel trap memory & his ability to recall birthdates, phone numbers, game scores & player stats for every team he had ever been a part of. Rick was passionate about politics, his animals, fitness, the outdoors, Costa Rica, Benton Central athletics, family & friends.

Rick was humbled by the daily management of COPD, often leaving him frustrated and exhausted. We trust he entered his eternal life in full "Mr. Excitement" mode and is once again effortlessly running for miles, riding his bike on country roads, playing fetch with his dogs, lifting weights or splitting wood to build strength and playing in championship games with his #1 supporter by his side, his beloved mother.

Rick is survived by his Dad, Don Bailey & Brother, Joe Bailey. They would like to thank everyone who took the time to reach out to Rick whether sharing words of encouragement during times of struggle, preparing food, stopping by to visit or sending prayers. Rick valued your friendship and appreciated your support.

Per Rick's wishes, he did not want a funeral service; a celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting Rick's Family. Visit Shoemaker Funeral Home- Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page or www.shoemakerfh.com to leave any condolences or to share a photo or memory of Rick. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Rick Bailey:  Benton Central Athletic Boosters, PO Box 11, Fowler, IN 47944 or Almost Home Humane Society, PO Box 134, Lafayette, IN 47902