John Paul Bailey – a former Tallahassee city commissioner, police officer and businessman known for his affable personality and pragmatic approach – died March 1. He was 79.
Bailey, who was a Bainbridge, Georgia, native, grew up in the capital city. He served as an officer with the Tallahassee Police Department for 25 years before winning a seat on the City Commission in 1996, defeating incumbent Penny Herman with nearly 55% of the vote. He won reelection in 2000 against two other challengers.
He ran for mayor in 2003, making the runoff but ultimately losing to John Marks. He remained active in politics, however, serving as chair of the Leon County Republican Party and running for tax collector.
Bailey struggled with illness in his later years but posted optimistic updates on his health on social media, sometimes from his hospital bed. Survivors include his wife, Donna Harper, a former Leon County School Board member.
“His life was marked by dedication, integrity and a true heart for serving others,” his family wrote in a Facebook post. “More than his titles, he was a beloved husband to his wife, Donna, a loving uncle and brother and a loyal friend to so many. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.”
Bailey served as the lone Republican on the non-partisan City Commission and advocated against higher taxes. However, his colleagues didn’t remember him as being particularly partisan.
Former City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, who served with Bailey, called him a “sweet and generous soul” who had “a big heart.”
“He was just very practical and down to earth,” she said. “He was very pragmatic, just wanted to get things done and wanted to help people.”
His down-home charm was on full display in 2016 during an appearance on WFSU’s “Bandwagon” show, when he explained why he was running for tax collector. He said when he decided to run, he thought the incumbent, Doris Maloy, whom he called “a nice lady,” was going to retire.
“But she didn’t, and I’ve already paid my fee,” he said. “So I’m in this election to win.”
Bailey said during the same appearance that his life in public service started early: “My father left our family when I was a teenager, and I became responsible … to help support my six brothers and sisters,” he said. “I went off … and spent four years in the Navy.”
He later joined the police, serving as an officer and a detective over a long career that saw him honored with a meritorious service award. He also became a licensed real-estate broker, and owned several businesses, including American Polygraph and Security, Allied Services and John Paul Bailey and Associates.
Bailey served as chairman of Blueprint 2000 and the Downtown Improvement Authority and president of the Killearn Homeowners Association. He was a staple at meetings of local Republican and conservative groups.
“John Paul Bailey was a great Republican, but an even greater person,” said Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. “He served as the last Republican city commissioner and my predecessor as Leon GOP chair. He was always there with a word of encouragement for me and support for our whole Republican team.”
Former Tallahassee City Manager Anita Favors said Bailey loved his family and often shared stories about “what his mama taught him,” she said. He was preceded in death by his mother, Winifred Cutts Bailey, who lived to be 97.
“He truly cared about Tallahassee; we shared that much in common,” she said. “He had a great sense of humor and was much more strategic than people gave him credit for. When we disagreed, it was always straight forward and never personal.”
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: John Paul Bailey, former Tallahassee commissioner, dies