Dr. Yardley Selwyn Bailey

TUSCALOOSA – Dr. Yardley Selwyn Bailey, 63, of Tuscaloosa, AL, died January 19, 2024, after a valiant battle with ALS. A native of Birmingham, he was the son of James W. Bailey (deceased) and Mary Alice Bailey. 

Yardley is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Kimberly A. Bailey; daughter, Tiffany Bailey; stepdaughter, Caitlin Thoma; brother, James Bailey, Jr. (Susan); and sisters Cheryl Daniels, Teri Evans (Kennith), and Miriam Benford. 

Yardley earned four degrees from The University of Alabama: a bachelor's degree, two master’s degrees, and his Ph.D. His career in academia began at his alma mater as a Producer/Director in the UA Department of Educational Media. He concluded his 40-year tenure in higher education upon his retirement from The University of Alabama System Office, where he served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Director of Institutional Research. 

 Yardley was a proud member of the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve and retired at the rank of Commander after 38 years of service. During his Coast Guard Reserve career, Yardley was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, two Commendation Medals, four Achievement Medals and other distinguished military honors. 

 In 2010, as a Lieutenant Commander, Yardley was assigned to the U. S. Coast Guard Academy as an admissions officer. It was here he joined the skills he  honed as a researcher and university administrator to his passion as a Coast Guard officer, substantially increasing the number of applications and enrollment of minority and female candidates to the Academy. His efforts were instrumental in shaping the final composition of the classes of 2014-2019, the most diverse period of enrollment in the Coast Guard Academy’s history. His expertise and presence made an indelible mark on the makeup and caliber of today’s Coast Guard, its officers, and its Academy.

 Deeply committed to public service, he held leadership roles on the boards or was an active member of the Leadership Tuscaloosa Program Committee, the Alabama Association of Institutional Research, the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross, 100 Black Men of West Alabama and other organizations. 

The family would like to give special thanks to staff at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Hospital and the Birmingham Veterans Administration ALS Clinic; Charles Burroughs, UA Recreation Center; the staff at Alabama Neurology Associates; and Journey Hospice. 

 The memorial service celebrating the life and achievements of Yardley S. Bailey will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Magnolia Chapel South. The service will be at noon with visitation an hour prior. Burial will be at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL at a later time.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Association, Alabama Chapter, 300 Cahaba Park Circle, Suite 209, Birmingham, AL 35242; or 100 Black Men of West Alabama, P.O. Box 2435, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403.