Edgar Eugene Bailey, Jr. ’64 was part of a long line of Chapman alumni, and his legacy continues to live on through other Chapman Family members of his own family tree. Edgar was born Sept. 17, 1939 in Houston, Tex. to Rev. Edgar Eugene Bailey, Sr. and Ariel Ivae Augustine Bailey. He graduated in 1957 from Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston, where he excelled in academics, JROTC, swimming, martial arts and wrestling. He attended the University of Houston to study engineering and was one of the first African-American students admitted to the university. In 1962, Edgar transferred to Chapman University as a sociology major where he met his wife, Karen Ellen Finley ’64. They married on May 1, 1965 in a simple ceremony performed by Edgar’s former Chapman roommate and close friend, Bob Vinson ’64.

According to their daughter, Ariel Bailey Fernald ’90, Edgar first saw Karen at Orange First Christian Church where she was serving as a lay leader. They met when Edgar joined the International Club, a campus club Karen was president of, which sponsored activities to help students learn about and celebrate other cultures, and supported students from other countries in integrating into college life in America.

Edgar and Karen found they shared much in common, including their love for different cultures and foods, the arts, dancing, family, and their faith. One of their favorite activities together was their visit to Los Angeles’ Olivera Street and China Town with other International Club members (pictured below).

Between 1965 and 1986, Edgar and Karen had 14 children together. While raising his family with Karen, Edgar worked for the Orange County Juvenile Hall as a family guidance counselor, and was one of the first two African-Americans hired for this position in the county. After working for the county for nearly 10 years, he changed his career path and worked for Pacific Bell for 20 years. Edgar, who passed away Dec. 26, 2015, retired in 1994, following the passing of his beloved wife in 1993.

“It was the wonderful stories of their Chapman days and the talk of the importance of education that influenced all of us children to pursue higher education degrees,” said Ariel. As a result, 12 of Edgar and Karen’s 14 children pursued higher education, and the remaining two achieved formal training and certification in their chosen fields. Ariel said her father was “not only an amazing father to his own children, but a mentor and life coach for so many others who crossed his path.”

Though she graduated in 1990, Ariel is presently very active within the Chapman community. She spoke at the Don Will commemoration in May 2015 and chaired her Class of 1990’s 25-Year Reunion at the 2015 Chapman Family Homecoming Celebration. She says that she and her husband, Trey Fernald ’91, may hold their film premier at Chapman. Trey was a Chapman lead actor, member of Pi Kappa Alpha, president of the Performing Arts Society and homecoming king. Following her father’s footsteps, Ariel was involved in a number of Chapman organizations, including ASB leadership, choir and Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll shows. She also won awards and held many positions at her alma mater, including resident assistant, chair of the senior class gift committee and Outstanding Senior Woman. Ariel says her family anticipates the fourth generation of Finley-Bailey Chapman students to begin their Chapman careers within the next two years.

“As a black man in the Sixties in this country, (my father) had plenty of reason to be skeptical about people, especially of other cultures, but instead, he embraced all people,” Ariel said. “In the early 1960s when my parents were at Chapman, there were police officers that would stop them on the streets and ask my mother if she was ‘where she wanted to be’ (referring to her being with a black man). When they married in 1965, it was not legal in several states in this country. Despite these facts, my father walked in love and belief in the human potential to grow and change for the better. He devoted his life to helping others rise above circumstances to achieve their greatest potential. As a counselor for the county of Orange, he worked with troubled youth and families. As a father, he raised us with this belief. And for the countless others who crossed his path, he encouraged and coached them in every opportunity.”

Bob Vinson claimed that Edgar “was a man who loved people and was generous in every way. He offered up his wisdom, experiences, wealth and all that he was for the benefit of others. He was truly a loving and generous man who believed that one act of kindness and encouragement could make a significant difference in this world. He never passed up the opportunity to be that difference in someone’s life.”

Edgar was an avid student of the Bible, world and military history, and stayed informed on current events. He also enjoyed watching movies and writing short stories. During the last three years of his life, he wrote a collection of works called Legacy—a comprehensive documentation of his family history and anecdotes for the benefit of his children and grandchildren. Above all, according to Ariel, he considered himself “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). Ariel says her father loved and lived for his family, with whom he shared and passed on his passion for God and life. He was a part of several ministries, and some of his children have chosen to serve full-time in ministry.

Edgar is survived by his 14 children: Margaret, Edgar, Ariel, Don, Barbara, David, Mary, Eddi, Hansel, Jesse, Samuel, Isaac, James and Noraline; and his 28 grandchildren: Karyn, Tatiana, Sierra, Luke, Samuel, James, Vanessa, Jack, Olivia, Juliana, Chase, Matthew, Nathan, Jared, Caleb, Jesia, Justus, Jalon, Judah, Jordan, Abigail, Elijah, Kenneth, Kaiden, Krawford, Kingston, Desiree and Charles.

Nine of Edgar and Karen’s family members also graduated from Chapman:

  • Margaret (Putman) Finley, B.A. communications ’34 (Karen’s mother)
  • Don Finley (Karen’s father)
  • Iber Means, B.A. sociology ’48 (Edgar’s aunt)
  • Margaret Bailey, B.A. liberal studies ’90 (daughter)
  • Ariel Bailey Fernald, B.A. sociology, and peace and justice ’90 (daughter)
  • Don Bailey, teaching credential ’03 (son)
  • Eddi Bailey, B.A. Spanish ’05 (daughter)
  • Mary Bailey, B.A. sociology ’07 (daughter)
  • Trey Fernald, B.A. communications ’91 (son-in-law)