A Eulogy to Charlie Bailey

Today is the funeral for a man whose undying determination, good humor, and positive attitude never won him elected office, but won him something much greater, the love and friendship of hundreds around our state.

I met Charlie Bailey in 1996 during my days as a UGA College Republican. He was running for Secretary of State. It seemed that Charlie was always running for Secretary of State. Some people dream of being Governor or U.S. Senator or President, but all Charlie wanted was Secretary of State. Each time the post came up, he ran. In 1998, 2002 and 2006 Charlie criss-crossed the state handing out his simple business card that said who he was and what he was running for. It wasn’t a big campaign, but it had determination. His high point was in 2002 where his work in 1996 and 1998 paid off. Charlie shocked the political establishment by beating a well funded primary opponent to become the GOP nominee. He lost to Democrat incumbent Cathy Cox in November.

Charlie didn’t look that good the last time I saw him, but his spirit more than made up for his failing body. His campaigning days ended on Labor Day as Charlie’s health finally gave way and he went home to his Maker.

It seems fitting that we lost Charlie on Labor Day. He was one of the hardest working people I knew. Charlie did not the meaning of the words “give up.” He understood that just because you don’t achieve something, that it doesn’t always mean you have failed. Charlie achieved a lot more in life than many people who run for elected office and even many who win. He may never have been elected Secretary of State, but for those of us he met along that journey and whose lives he touched, the achieved something even greater.