Josephine (Carlson) Bailey was born in 1909 and was a native of Austin. She went to work for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department on April 3, 1932, under the first director of recreation and would continue her work for Parks for almost 40 years. She married Gordon Bailey in 1939.

Gordon Bailey was born on April 4, 1909, in Hunter's Bend, Texas. Bailey graduated from Waco High School in 1927. He attended the University of Texas for one year before leaving to play professional baseball for four years with the Texas League, Cotton State League, and the Dixie League. He was inducted into the Central Texas Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. He returned to the University of Texas in 1936 and went on to receive a B.S. degree in physical education. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years. In 1946, he was awarded a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Texas.

Gordon worked for the Austin School System for a total of 34 years, the last years spent as the principal at Johnston High School from the time it opened in 1960 until he retired in 1972. After retiring from the public school system he worked as probation officer for Travis County as well as a bailiff in Travis County Court I. He retired (again) in 1989.

Both Gordon and Josephine were dedicated to Austin and in 1969 they were awarded the Austin Rotary Club's Community Service Award, the first time the award had ever been given to a couple.

Gordon Bailey died on January 27, 1990. In 1992 ground was broken on the Gordon A. Bailey Middle School, named in his honor. Josephine Bailey died on February 25, 1995.