Bailey Fong passed away on June 23, 2026, at the age of 88 in Walnut Creek, California.

Bailey grew up in Red Bluff and then Sacramento, where he came of age in a large family. He carried the memories of those years all his life and told them as vivid stories. His eyes would sparkle as he recounted picking walnuts late into the night only to be terrorized by a shadowy figure who later turned out to be his father coming to find him and his siblings. He recalled the mischief and daring of a houseful of brothers and sisters, working in a local store, and the love he found for being outdoors hunting, fishing, and skiing. Those early years of hard work and resourcefulness shaped the practical, self-reliant man he became. 

After a brief stint in the Army, Bailey applied to and was accepted at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied electrical engineering. It was the beginning of a career built on the same logical, problem-solving mind his family would come to know so well. Bailey's more than 40-year career as an engineer spanned everything from defense projects to the cutting edge of early electric vehicle development. He brought that same technical mind to every challenge. However, those who knew him best understood that his true life's work was his family. 

Quiet by nature and happiest out of the spotlight, Bailey showed love through action rather than words. He cooked meals for the people he loved, and was especially remembered for baking and mailing cookies every week of his son's first year of college. Bailey patiently tended his garden and his avocado trees, took on DIY projects most people would hire out, and kept the family finances in meticulous order. He was, by his own admission, a terrible speller, but he could solve nearly any technical problem you put in front of him. He loved a good debate and would inevitably find the holes in the other side's arguments. He taught his son algebra at the kitchen table, passing along not just the formulas but the habit of thinking things through clearly and calmly. 

An introvert in the truest sense, Bailey never sought attention, but he also never hesitated to sacrifice for the people he loved. He was a devoted husband, a generous father, and a grandfather who delighted in his grandchildren. And while there was physical distance between Bailey and his siblings, he was fiercely loyal to them and loved them very much. 

Bailey was preceded in death by his mother Mee Lee, his father Jimmy Fong, his stepmother Yuk Fong, and his siblings Catherine, Lotus, Marian, Arthur Sr., and Edward. He is survived by his loving wife of more than sixty years, Sally, his son Michael, his daughter-in-law Stacy, his grandchildren, Aiden and Rylee, and his siblings, Robert, Betty, Doris, Burt, Roseanne, and Jennifer. He is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bailey's logic, his quiet kindness, and his unwavering devotion to his family will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Graveside Ceremony

East Lawn Memorial Park
4300 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95819

July 19, 2026

12:00 pm

Friends and family are warmly invited to attend and celebrate Bailey’s life.