Bailey

Joe M. Bailey was born June 8, 1942, to Joe Weldon and Margaret Murray Bailey in Memphis, Tenn. Joe missed the chance to be a native-born Texan because his native-born Texan parents were temporarily residing in Memphis when he arrived, but he got to Texas as quickly as he could. He died April 9, 2026, and was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Bailey; his parents; and his brother, Dr. Ralph Bailey.

He is survived by his son, Ben Bailey and wife Sherri; daughter, Laura Bailey Crowell and husband Nathan; and son, Matt Bailey and wife Caren. He is also survived by eight grandchildren—Mollie Bailey; Bailey Crowell Fuerst and husband Tye; Matthew Bailey and wife Ari; Addy Crowell; Winston Crowell; Micah Bailey; Carson Bailey; and Parker Bailey—one greatgrandson, Apollo Bailey; his brother, Lee Bailey and wife Nancy; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Joe grew up in Austin, graduated from Austin High School in 1960, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with BA and MBA degrees, where he was a member of KappaAlpha Order. He was later a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. As a youth, he was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow and was involved in many civic and social activities in Austin.

In 1965, he married Carolyn Labit, a fellow Austin High grad, and soon moved to Houston to begin his professional career.

During his professional career, he served in senior executive positions in Houston banking, including serving as Chairman and CEO of the Houston Region for Bank of America and its predecessor banks. After retiring from Bank of America, he was the President of Post Oak Bank of Houston and later was the Founder and Chairman of Texas Capital Bank of Houston.

He served as Chairman of the Houston Clearing House Association; as a founding Director and Chairman of Space Center Houston; as a founding Advisory Director of Lupe Tortilla Restaurants; as a founding Director of the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation; as a Director of the Greater Houston Partnership; as a Director and Finance Chair of Rice Center for Community Design; as a Director of Houston Central Inc.; as a Regent of Texas Southern University; on the Board of Visitors of the University of Houston; and on the Texas Governor’s Select Committee on Tax Equity.

Joe and Carolyn moved to their ranch in Fayette County in 2001, where he resided.

In Fayette County, he served as a founding Director and Chairman of St. Mark’s Medical Center; as a Fayette County Regional Director of the LCRA; as President of the Fayette County Texas Exes; as a Board Member of the Episcopal Foundation of Texas; and as an active member of St. James Episcopal Church of La Grange.

His greatest pleasure, in addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, was living at Bailey Acres with the horses, longhorns, and wildlife. Joe will be remembered for his leadership, his deep commitment to his community, and his unwavering devotion to his family.

A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church of La Grange on May 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. CT, followed by a reception at Frisch Auf Valley Country Club. For those who cannot attend in person, the service will also be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ St.JamesEpiscopalLaGrange, and as the family is expecting a significant number of attendees, the service will also be streamed at the Country Club for those who prefer to attend there. This is not a formal event; business or country attire is appropriate—just come as you are.

In lieu of flowers, suggested donations may be made to the St. James Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 507, La Grange, Texas 78945; Tejas Healthcare, 753 E. Travis St., La Grange, TX 78945; Greater Fayette Community Foundation, P.O. Box 664, La Grange, Texas 78945; or to the charity of your choice.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.