The UA Little Rock community is mourning the loss of Dr. Howard Ashley Ted Bailey Jr., longtime supporter of higher education and pioneering physician, who passed away Jan. 21 in Little Rock at the age of 94. 

A reception in his honor will be held at the Country Club of Little Rock, 4200 Country Club Blvd., from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.  A private burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock.

“Dr. Bailey was a great man to whom we owe so much. His support lifted us to reach our full potential in so many places,” said UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. “His belief in the university still inspires our work to be world-class.”  

Dr. Bailey was one of the university’s earliest supporters, having founded the Society of Philanthropy, a precursor to the current Chancellor’s Circle. The Bailey Family also facilitated the establishment of the Faculty Excellence Awards in 1988, an awards ceremony that recognizes the contributions of outstanding faculty members in teaching, research, and public service. The family also helped initiate the university’s Foundation Fund Board.

In 2002, a generous gift from the Bailey Family Foundation began the construction of the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, named after Dr. Bailey and Virginia, his wife of nearly 58 years who passed away in 2003. The Bailey family is a strong supporter of student scholarships, having created multiple endowed scholarships across disciplines and departments. In 2015, the Bailey Family Foundation made a direct gift of $2 million to support student scholarships.

Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of University Advancement, expressed the university’s love and support to Dr. Bailey’s wife, Sharon; his five children, Mary Maude Shafer, Ted Bailey III, Jo Bailey McCray, John Bailey, and Amy Madeline Bailey; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

“In a special tribute to Dr. Bailey and his wife Sharon, we honored them at the 2017 Taste of Little Rock event for their enduring support,” O’Neal said. “The Bailey family legacy continues to serve the university, with Sharon serving on the ALL IN Campaign Steering Committee; son John Bailey as a member of the Board of Visitors; and son Ted Bailey III through his support of Trojan Athletics.”

Dr. Bailey was born in Little Rock in 1924 to parents H.A. Ted Bailey Sr. and Madeline S. Bailey. He graduated from Little Rock High School and received his M.D. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. He served as a medical officer during the Korean War. He began his private practice in otolaryngology but primarily practiced otology in Little Rock for more than 40 years, being the first physician in Arkansas to limit his practice to otology.

His excellence as an ear surgeon was widely recognized, as were his many accomplishments in the medical field. He was the first physician to open an outpatient surgery center in the state. He was a pioneer in stapedectomy surgery, with one of the largest series in the United States, and developed new instruments and techniques for the procedure. He was also the first ear surgeon in Arkansas to perform cochlear implant surgery.

Dr. Bailey was a clinical professor of otolaryngology at UAMS throughout his career, head of the Division of Otolaryngology for a decade, and chief of staff at Baptist Hospital. He founded the Ear & Nose-Throat Clinic in Little Rock, now the Arkansas Otolaryngology Center, and served as its president and physician administrator until his retirement.

Dr. Bailey was a man of many accomplishments who was deeply devoted to public service. He served on the UA Little Rock Foundation Fund Board and the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors in addition to numerous other organizations, including the Little Rock Rotary Club, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Union National Bank in Little Rock, Worthen Bank in Little Rock, United Way, YMCA, Little Rock Boys Club, Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, and Baptist Health Foundation.

Memorials may be made to the UA Little Rock Bailey Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.