Coaching legend who began in Tucumcari dies at 65

Joe Bailey, a longtime Moriarty coach who earned multiple Hall of Fame honors and began his career at Tucumcari, died on Sept. 20 due to cancer complications. He was 65.

Bailey spent more than 40 years teaching and coaching in New Mexico. He was inducted into the New Mexico Cross Country & Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor and the Moriarty High Athletics Hall of Fame.

He began his coaching career in 1981 at Tucumcari and met his future wife, Jill, there before moving on to Moriarty in 1984.

In addition to coaching track at Moriarty, he coached or assistant coached other sports and served as athletic director.

Bailey won team championships in girls track in 1999 and 2001 and finished in the top three twice. He coached 39 individual state champions in track.

He was an assistant when Bob McIntyre guided the Lady Pintos basketball team to a state title in 1997. As a head coach in girls basketball, he won three district titles, a runner-up finish and two semifinal berths.

As an assistant football coach, he helped win seven district titles and two state semifinal berths.

"Joe believed deeply in character - the kind you show when no one is watching - and he lived that belief every day," Bailey's obituary stated. "Despite his more extroverted leadership roles, Joe often came across as shy and reserved to those who didn't know him well. However, once you were part of his inner circle, it became clear that he was anything but. Those closest to him knew a man who was warm, witty, and fiercely loyal."

Bailey, a native of Fort Sumner, graduated from high school there and from New Mexico State University.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

His funeral was held Saturday at Moriarty High School's gymnasium.