Ron Bailey

Ron Bailey

Ronald Lee Bailey has been impacting the lives of Winchester and Franklin County for many years. He grew up in the Winchester Springs community of Franklin County. He attended Winchester Springs Elementary and Franklin County High School. He played football for FCHS and went on to play at Memphis State (now University of Memphis) and then MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University).

He loved football and coached the Blue Raiders under Bill Peck at MTSU until Coach Peck’s tenure ended. Ron then moved home to Winchester and began running his family owned business, MAZ Monument Company. Maz Monument Company was the first government  contractor manufacturing veterans grave markers in Tennessee and the Southeast.  MAZ Monument Company manufactured granite grave markers.  Next the Baileys formed  an additional company, B&B Marble Company, to secure another government contract for marble grave markers. Both of these companies employed many Franklin County citizens.

In 1977, Maz Monument Company and B&B Marble Company were consolidated.  Decherd Marble & Granite was then formed to produce both marble and granite veterans grave markers for the government.  This company served the VA and offered many jobs to Franklin countians until it closed in 2005.

In 1977 Decherd Marble & Granite was commissioned  to produce the Gettysburg Monument representing Tennessee.This was a two year project resulting in the remarkable display honoring the volunteer state standing in the Gettysburg National Park in Adams, Pennsylvania.

Ron has been involved in many adventures during his life.  He produced “Lucy Comes to Nashville”, the first network special to be filmed in Nashville at the Opry House in 1978. He managed and produced many songwriters and artists from his Nashville International Office.  His work with Media Productions produced television and radio advertisement for numerous local and national accounts including Service Merchandise and Car Quest. He was instrumental  in securing licensure for Key Life Insurance of South Carolina in the state Tennessee and served as Vice President of Marketing.  He worked with family businesses,  BARDS Apparel and was publisher of" The Enterprise", the nation’s largest freely circulated newspaper. While publishing "The Enterprise" Ron received two School Bell awards for excellent coverage of school events and supporting the educational sector. "The Enterprise" was published in Winchester before closing after six years.

Ron has supported coaches and players promoting Franklin county recreational soccer leagues, North Junior High soccer  and FCHS soccer. He also worked with the Tennessee Futbol Club in Franklin. He has taught school and run, although unsuccessfully, for a Franklin county office. He has worked with the Tennessee Governors Planning Office and the Governors Official Drug Task Force. 

Ron has a true passion for the underdog and those in need.  He servesas Vice President and is on the Board of Directors for Christians Celebrating God’s Bounty which provided free meals for the people of Winchester and Franklin County for several years and now Volunteers in Medicine, Operation Noel and the Honor Flight have operated or are continuing to operate under this non-profit umbrella. He is a former Sunday School teacher at Winchester First United Methodist Church.  He is a member and former President of the Winchester Rotary Club. Many will be surprised to know that Ron portrayed Santa Claus for the City of Winchester for many years as St. Nick himself came to Winchester by fire engine or helicopter on the day after Thanksgiving to meet children and kick off the Christmas season.

Currently Ron is the Director for the 12th Judicial District Drug Court. He is a past two term President and serves on the TARCP (Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals) Board of Directors. He has received the Christy Vernon award for excellence in service to drug courts. He oversees the Recovery Court program for the current 100 plus participants in both residential treatment facilities and those in active recovery in the six counties in the 12th Judicial District.  It has been proven that recovery courts work . These courts change lives and generate productive citizens. This endeavor under Ron's direction has placed over 180 participants back living, working and thriving in their home communities.

Ron is married to Deborah Bailey and has four children, Andy, Bonita, Brooke and Cameron.