Veteran to be laid to rest near birthplace in east La Follette

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- His mother had to sign for him to join the military in the final months of World War II. At age 17, Frank Bailey (above) began what ended up being 50-year career of proudly serving his country. “Oh, was he military and proud of it, heck, we had to make our beds ‘hospital corners’ every morning,” said Bailey’s youngest daughter, Pamela Shortt.

Master Sergeant Frank Bailey joined the Air Force starting at North Carolina, and from there, there were stints in Germany, Texas, Greenland, Japan and finally in California. Being a Campbell County boy, he learned to sing and play the guitar at an early age and carried his love of music with him in the military and beyond.

“One of Dad’s big highlights was when he and his band opened for Johnny Cash at the NCO Club in Germany,” said Pamela. That was in the early 1960s, she adds.

“We’d pick around a lot. He was a fine old fella,” said long time friend Danny Bruce.

After his 26 year Air Force career, which was comprised mainly of civil engineering, he continued his service to his country. At Seymour Johnson Air Force Base at Goldsboro, North Carolina, Bailey spent the next 24 years with the US Government Civil Service in civil engineering.

“Frank was a worker. He even mowed his own yard well up into his 90s, kept it looking good,” Bruce chuckled.

Bailey retired in 1995 and moved right back to La Follette. “He also enjoyed being a member of the Honor Guard of Campbell County,” said Shortt.

Bailey sang and played gospel, bluegrass and country. He was even a regular on WLAF Radio and TV. He also loved draggin’ a line.

The family receives friends Wednesday from noon until 2pm at Walters Funeral Home with the graveside service and interment to follow at Jones Cemetery  off Lynch Hollow Road.

Franklin E. “Frank” Bailey was 97 years old. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/26/2026-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)