Story
Help Us Honor Robert L. Bailey Jr. and Settle His Final Affairs
***UPDATE: It is with deep sorrow that I share that my father, Robert L. Bailey Jr. aka “Bobby”, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 30, 2025, at 10:10 PM, following a long and difficult battle with the effects of multiple strokes, chronic health challenges, and the weight of a healthcare system that too often failed to meet his needs. He was 68 years old.
Robert was a beloved father, brother, uncle, and friend—known for his strength, wisdom, resilience and vibrant personality. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
On behalf of my entire family, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, donations, and support to be offered. Your generosity and kindness have brought us comfort during this incredibly painful time, and we are truly humbled by the compassion extended to us.
Thank you for standing with us as we honor his life and begin the difficult process of saying goodbye.
With gratitude,
Dante J. Bailey & The Bailey Family
***Original Posting:
My name is Dante J. Bailey, and I’m reaching out on behalf of the Bailey family during one of the most difficult times we’ve ever faced. My father, Robert L. Bailey Jr., is currently in hospice care after a long, painful battle with declining health following multiple strokes. We don’t know how many days we have left with him, but doctors believe the time is very short (likely less than a week if we’re lucky.)
His Journey
In 2013, my father suffered his first major stroke, which left him partially paralyzed on one side of his body. Since then, he’s endured years of hospital visits, rehabilitation facilities, and cycles of declining mobility and independence. After a second stroke in 2024, his cognitive and physical condition worsened significantly, leading to a series of complications (urinary tract infections, depression, hospitalizations, and an increased inability to care for himself.)
To be frank, like too many others, our healthcare system failed him in these last few years. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t afford ongoing professional care. My family has done everything we can, paying out-of-pocket for informal caregivers and taking turns helping him as best as we can even if from a distance like myself. I live in Los Angeles, CA and every day has been a heartbreaking balance of managing my father’s crisis from across the country while trying to keep my own life afloat.
Where Things Stand Now
Two weeks ago, right before my birthday, I got a call: my father was in the ICU again. I flew home to Maryland with money I didn’t have, supported only by friends and family. That same week, I lost my job as a teacher, my camera broke (I’m a photographer & filmmaker), and two of my final gigs cancelled. Amongst countless other unfortunate coincidences occurring at the time that I received the call about my father, literally just one day before my birthday, I had exactly $1 to my name and it felt as though the already fragile foundation I was standing on completely fell out from under me.
Now, my father is in hospice in Rockville, MD which is an hour away from me. With the support of family and friends providing resources, Ive been managing the drive daily in an effort to offer comfort in my fathers final days. Just yesterday, however, the facility has informed us that we will soon have to start paying an additional daily rate given that he happens to live past the weekend, and once he inevitably passes, we will have just a 4–5 hour window to arrange for cremation and removal due to their small staff and facilities. We do not have the funds to cover these expenses, nor the adequate funds for a proper funeral or transportation to and from the facility, let alone my own personal trip back to Los Angeles after everything is said and done.
Why We’re Asking for Help
We’re humbly asking for support to help cover:
• Immediate cremation and funeral expenses
• Travel and transportation costs to and from the hospice facility in his final hours (rental car, gas and insurance)
• Assistance in helping to begin the long and painful process of clearing his belongings from the home.
• Any unexpected administrative or estate expenses that arise after his passing
Unfortunately, We do not come from wealth. Everything we’ve done for our father has been through sacrifice, love, and deep emotional labor. And now we’re asking you, our community, our extended family, our friends, and anyone moved by this story for help.
If You Can Donate
No amount is too little. Even $5 or $10 helps immensely. If you can’t donate, sharing this page with others or offering emotional support means just as much.
We’re trying to give my father the dignity and peace he deserves in these final days. Anything you can do to help us carry him through this transition would be a blessing.
With deep gratitude,
Dante Bailey & The Bailey Family