Obituary for Codey Nathan Bailes
On March 8, 2023, Heaven needed another hero, so God called US Marine Codey Nathan Bailes to his eternal heavenly home. Codey’s last days on earth were spent exactly where he wanted to be- at his home, where he was surrounded by all of his immediate family. We shared love, laughter, many tears, and some wise cracks sprinkled with a few curse words shared between brothers that only brothers can understand and laugh about.
Codey Nathan Bailes, age 25, was born March 20, 1997, in LaGrange, Georgia to Raymond and Angie Bailes (Angie Vowell). His childhood was spent in Georgia and Kansas, with residences in Franklin, Ga, Kansas City, KS, Shawnee, KS, Columbia, MO and Olathe, KS where he made many friends along the way. Despite his initial shy demeanor, there was a bubbly boy full of life and energy and excitement just waiting to take on the world. After his parents divorced in 2006, Codey and his brother Raymond lived with their father until 2008 when the family grew to include their stepmother, Shawna, and stepbrother, Dakota, and many more fond memories were made that we will all cherish. Memories like the first family canoe trip to southern Missouri when he was so worried we were lost trying to find the campsite, and then he was so concerned about his brother after one of our canoes tipped over, and his fear that we had taken a wrong turn on the river when the float seemed to last all day and we hadn’t yet reached our destination point… little did we know at the time how that worried little boy would grow up to be a young man we were all so proud of and admired for his strength and determination.
Codey was always an athletic young man who played basketball in grade school, then running in cross country for one season before deciding wrestling was where he could really shine. He excelled quickly in wrestling matches and tournaments, earning his varsity letter during his sophomore year of high school. Along with his athletic abilities, Codey had a flair for being very artistic. He handled a pen, pencil, markers and later a tattoo gun like he was born with it in his hand. While several of his tattoos were done for him, the majority of the beautiful artwork that adorned his skin was by his own hand.
Codey had a determination, work ethic and attitude that earned him a good deal of respect from his teachers, coaches, fellow students, fellow Marines, and everyone else who was lucky enough to know him. His determination and work ethic showed not only in his athletic abilities, but also in his occupations. Throughout school, Codey worked first with his father at Universal Carpet Care, then took off on his own working at Advanced Laser Tag and Mr. Goodcents, where he touched even more lives with his enthusiastic hunger for experiencing life to the fullest.
While bookwork wasn’t his strength throughout school, he always had the attitude of proving to others that he could do anything. To earn his first tattoo at the age of 15, he turned his grades around from failing or barely passing to making it on the AB Honor Roll. He also bought his first vehicle with money that he had earned from his jobs, and later purchased a project truck with his dad that they worked on together. Even during his younger years, Codey had that same attitude- he would get in trouble for something he did wrong, and rather than just suffer through the discipline, he would negotiate ways he could shorten what he and his dad called “groundation”.
After Codey graduated from high school at Olathe Northwest in Olathe, Kansas, Codey served in the United States Marine Corps as an Aviation Mechanic from 2015 to 2020. He completed Basic Training at MCRD San Diego, and completed the rest of his training in Pensacola, Florida and Little Rock, Arkansas before being stationed at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California for the duration of his service. The honors he earned during his military service include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Certification of Appreciation, and Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification Badge. He was a Corporal at the time of his release from active duty.
During his time serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, Codey became a father to a beautiful little girl- Everleigh Louise, and later married fellow Marine Dakota Arrowood, who gave him a beautiful son- Declan Nathan. After fulfilling his service requirements, Codey was honorably discharged from active duty and moved his wife and son to Hogansville, Georgia where his father and stepmother currently reside. Codey and Dakota’s marriage was dissolved in March 2021, and adorable Declan continues to be lovingly doted on by his wonderful mother. His daughter Everleigh lives with her mother Taylor, and is equally loved and cherished for the treasure that she is.
Unfortunately, during and after his time of service to our country, Codey was fighting battles that very few saw, and fewer still could understand or help him fight. His battles against depression and anxiety were masked well from most, but those closest to him saw that these battles were more grueling than any of the other challenges he had faced in his life. These internal conflicts with his demons were numbed by alcohol, which became his weapon of choice to fight those demons. Despite efforts from his loved ones, there were both figurative and literal barriers thrown up around him that kept his battles with his demons private.
On February 13th, Codey was taken to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center by ambulance and quickly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit to treat him for Delirium Tremens and failing organs. Codey spent nine days in ICU before being transferred to another floor. Despite the hope of recovery, physical rehabilitation and eventually the possibility of a life-saving liver transplant, the roller coaster ride continued, with the valleys far exceeding the peaks for Codey. On Monday, March 6th, Codey decided he was ready to come home and leave everything else up to God. He spent the following two days surrounded by his three parents, brothers, grandparents, and other extended family in a house bursting at the seams with love. He played video games with his father and brothers on Tuesday, and on Wednesday afternoon during an impromptu early birthday party for him, he joined in singing Happy Birthday to himself. Shortly after 10 PM, he opened his eyes one last time to look at his father, who was able to say one last I love you before our heavenly Father called Codey to his eternal home.
Codey is survived by his daughter Everleigh Powers, son Declan Bailes, father Raymond Bailes and his wife Shawna, mother Angie Vowell (Justin Clayton), grandparents Willis Bailes (Mary Bailes), Joyce Roberts, Wanda Vowell, Ronald & Susan Wise, brothers Raymond Bailes (Brandi Roller) and Dakota Wise, nephews and niece Zaiden Coons, Chloe Bailes, Raymond Malakai Bailes and Kaleb Kinslow, and many other extended family and friends.
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand in LaGrange, Georgia. The family will accept Codey’s extended family and friends beginning at 2:00 PM and the service will begin at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations that will go to Codey’s young children. Electronic donations can be sent via Zelle using the phone number 913-265-1186, and check or cash donations can be sent to the family home or brought to the memorial service. An acceptable alternative is sending donations to a non-profit organization of your choice that benefits our military veterans or those struggling with mental illness and/or addiction in memory of Codey.
Codey Nathan Bailes, age 25, was born March 20, 1997, in LaGrange, Georgia to Raymond and Angie Bailes (Angie Vowell). His childhood was spent in Georgia and Kansas, with residences in Franklin, Ga, Kansas City, KS, Shawnee, KS, Columbia, MO and Olathe, KS where he made many friends along the way. Despite his initial shy demeanor, there was a bubbly boy full of life and energy and excitement just waiting to take on the world. After his parents divorced in 2006, Codey and his brother Raymond lived with their father until 2008 when the family grew to include their stepmother, Shawna, and stepbrother, Dakota, and many more fond memories were made that we will all cherish. Memories like the first family canoe trip to southern Missouri when he was so worried we were lost trying to find the campsite, and then he was so concerned about his brother after one of our canoes tipped over, and his fear that we had taken a wrong turn on the river when the float seemed to last all day and we hadn’t yet reached our destination point… little did we know at the time how that worried little boy would grow up to be a young man we were all so proud of and admired for his strength and determination.
Codey was always an athletic young man who played basketball in grade school, then running in cross country for one season before deciding wrestling was where he could really shine. He excelled quickly in wrestling matches and tournaments, earning his varsity letter during his sophomore year of high school. Along with his athletic abilities, Codey had a flair for being very artistic. He handled a pen, pencil, markers and later a tattoo gun like he was born with it in his hand. While several of his tattoos were done for him, the majority of the beautiful artwork that adorned his skin was by his own hand.
Codey had a determination, work ethic and attitude that earned him a good deal of respect from his teachers, coaches, fellow students, fellow Marines, and everyone else who was lucky enough to know him. His determination and work ethic showed not only in his athletic abilities, but also in his occupations. Throughout school, Codey worked first with his father at Universal Carpet Care, then took off on his own working at Advanced Laser Tag and Mr. Goodcents, where he touched even more lives with his enthusiastic hunger for experiencing life to the fullest.
While bookwork wasn’t his strength throughout school, he always had the attitude of proving to others that he could do anything. To earn his first tattoo at the age of 15, he turned his grades around from failing or barely passing to making it on the AB Honor Roll. He also bought his first vehicle with money that he had earned from his jobs, and later purchased a project truck with his dad that they worked on together. Even during his younger years, Codey had that same attitude- he would get in trouble for something he did wrong, and rather than just suffer through the discipline, he would negotiate ways he could shorten what he and his dad called “groundation”.
After Codey graduated from high school at Olathe Northwest in Olathe, Kansas, Codey served in the United States Marine Corps as an Aviation Mechanic from 2015 to 2020. He completed Basic Training at MCRD San Diego, and completed the rest of his training in Pensacola, Florida and Little Rock, Arkansas before being stationed at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California for the duration of his service. The honors he earned during his military service include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Certification of Appreciation, and Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification Badge. He was a Corporal at the time of his release from active duty.
During his time serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, Codey became a father to a beautiful little girl- Everleigh Louise, and later married fellow Marine Dakota Arrowood, who gave him a beautiful son- Declan Nathan. After fulfilling his service requirements, Codey was honorably discharged from active duty and moved his wife and son to Hogansville, Georgia where his father and stepmother currently reside. Codey and Dakota’s marriage was dissolved in March 2021, and adorable Declan continues to be lovingly doted on by his wonderful mother. His daughter Everleigh lives with her mother Taylor, and is equally loved and cherished for the treasure that she is.
Unfortunately, during and after his time of service to our country, Codey was fighting battles that very few saw, and fewer still could understand or help him fight. His battles against depression and anxiety were masked well from most, but those closest to him saw that these battles were more grueling than any of the other challenges he had faced in his life. These internal conflicts with his demons were numbed by alcohol, which became his weapon of choice to fight those demons. Despite efforts from his loved ones, there were both figurative and literal barriers thrown up around him that kept his battles with his demons private.
On February 13th, Codey was taken to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center by ambulance and quickly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit to treat him for Delirium Tremens and failing organs. Codey spent nine days in ICU before being transferred to another floor. Despite the hope of recovery, physical rehabilitation and eventually the possibility of a life-saving liver transplant, the roller coaster ride continued, with the valleys far exceeding the peaks for Codey. On Monday, March 6th, Codey decided he was ready to come home and leave everything else up to God. He spent the following two days surrounded by his three parents, brothers, grandparents, and other extended family in a house bursting at the seams with love. He played video games with his father and brothers on Tuesday, and on Wednesday afternoon during an impromptu early birthday party for him, he joined in singing Happy Birthday to himself. Shortly after 10 PM, he opened his eyes one last time to look at his father, who was able to say one last I love you before our heavenly Father called Codey to his eternal home.
Codey is survived by his daughter Everleigh Powers, son Declan Bailes, father Raymond Bailes and his wife Shawna, mother Angie Vowell (Justin Clayton), grandparents Willis Bailes (Mary Bailes), Joyce Roberts, Wanda Vowell, Ronald & Susan Wise, brothers Raymond Bailes (Brandi Roller) and Dakota Wise, nephews and niece Zaiden Coons, Chloe Bailes, Raymond Malakai Bailes and Kaleb Kinslow, and many other extended family and friends.
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand in LaGrange, Georgia. The family will accept Codey’s extended family and friends beginning at 2:00 PM and the service will begin at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations that will go to Codey’s young children. Electronic donations can be sent via Zelle using the phone number 913-265-1186, and check or cash donations can be sent to the family home or brought to the memorial service. An acceptable alternative is sending donations to a non-profit organization of your choice that benefits our military veterans or those struggling with mental illness and/or addiction in memory of Codey.