John Paul Bailey

John Paul Bailey was born in Bainbridge, GA during a brief out-of-town family visit, but always considered himself a Tallahassee native, where he lived his life. At the tender age of 17, John Paul left high school and joined the Navy to serve his country and help support his mother and 6 younger siblings. During the Vietnam War era, as part of his responsibilities, he served as Master-At-Arms/Shore Patrol to help protect and police his fellow sailors. Upon completing his tour, John Paul returned home to join the Tallahassee Police Department. He was a traffic homicide, property and juvenile crimes investigator and trainer and received special recognition from the City Commission for his outstanding service. In 1996, with a drive to provide further leadership to the community, John Paul Bailey ran for and served two active and distinguished terms as a Tallahassee City Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem. He was also active in other Community Leadership roles including Capital Area Community Action Agency (Chairman), Blueprint 2000 Intergovernmental Agency, Tourist Development Council, Downtown Improvement Authority, Keep Tallahassee/ Leon County Beautiful Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Economic Development Council, and Capital City Chamber of Commerce. Before retiring, John Paul owned his own Security and Business Services Company. He was a licensed real estate broker, and a member of Robert Butler Masonic Lodge, Marzuq Shriners, Committee of 99, Sauls/Bridges American Legion Post 13, and Fellowship Baptist Church. He was married to Donna Marie Harper, a former teacher and School Board Member. Survivors include his wife, Donna Harper; step-daughter, Marlow Shams Hudson; step-grandsons, Alex and Zachary Hudson; sisters, Frances Bailey Powell, Barbara Bailey (Ronny) Traylor and Sandra Bailey (Tommy) Davis; brother, Jimmy (Patricia Croft) Bailey and numerous much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Winifred Cutts Bailey and brothers, George David Bailey, Joseph Stanley Bailey and Robert E. Bailey. The funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Bailey family with their arrangements.

Tributes

John Paul Bailey

September 10, 1946 - March 1, 2026