Ryan Thomas Bailey

Ryan Thomas Bailey, 44, of Raleigh, North Carolina entered into the presence of his Lord on October 31, 2025.

Born in Morganton, North Carolina to parents Steve and Nancy, Ryan was raised in a love-filled home, shared by his younger brother Chris. He was part of the community of faith at First Baptist Church of Morganton, where he was baptized alongside his father. There, he participated in numerous church activities and developed a strong religious conviction that he would maintain throughout his life. He was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts, where he developed a heart for service and a love of the outdoors, and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Freedom High School where he excelled in academics, played saxophone in the marching band and was a member of the varsity soccer team.

He attended college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with a double-major in Communications and Psychology. In his time there, he continued to excel in academics, developed a fierce passion for UNC athletics, and was heavily involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. He later received a Master’s in Professional Communication from East Carolina University. He employed his education and his talents as a gifted writer and communicator toward a successful career in pharmaceutical research design.

Ryan’s passions covered a wide spectrum. He loved spending time with his family, and brought the same enthusiasm to planning family celebrations or travel adventures as he did to reading Lord of the Rings to his sons before bed, or to the simple sharing of stories around the dinner table. He could always be relied on to bring warmth, laughter and levity to any family gathering. He loved being engaged with the Church through worship, fellowship and service, most recently with Bright City Church in Durham, NC. He had an affinity for the written word, which he absorbed through favorite works of fiction and poetry, and which he exercised in word puzzles and in his own writings. He enjoyed cooking, with a particular penchant for anything involving a grill. He loved nearly every major sport, with his chief loyalties being to the UNC Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers. He enjoyed hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities that kept him in close proximity to God’s creation. His heart was geared toward serving others, and he had a deep compassion for people struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse, as well as those experiencing homelessness.

His personality also had impressive range. He could be profound, punny, esoteric, silly, analytical, poetic, wise, and convivial, among many other traits, but always genuine, and overwhelmingly loving, kindhearted and tender. He was a bright spot in the lives of anyone who met him, whether a lifelong friend or brief acquaintance.

Ryan was part of a large and close-knit family, and in addition to numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, he is survived by his mother and father Steve and Nancy, his younger brother Chris, his wonderful sons Logan and Tyson, his wife of 17 years, Jessica, and his Great Aunt Frances. He had an abundant love for his family, and he was loved dearly by all of them. He will be profoundly missed.

A memorial service celebrating Ryan’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Morganton, NC on Saturday, November 15th. Receiving will begin at 12:30 PM in the sanctuary, with the service starting at 2:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made via donations to the Durham Rescue Mission, PO Box 11368, Durham, NC 27703, or to the Mimosa Christian Counseling Center, 220 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.