Vaya Con Dios Amigo... Tom Bailey  

Thomas Bailey Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 13, 2025.

Thomas Hagan Bailey, affectionately known as "Bailey" by friends and colleagues, passed away peacefully at home on his beloved Iron Rose Ranch on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the age of 88. As the founder of Janus Capital, Bailey was a pioneering force in the world of asset management in the 1980s and 1990s. Over an impressive 33 years, he transformed Janus Capital from a modest one-room office in downtown Denver into one of the largest and most respected equity investment managers in the world. His innovative thinking and steadfast commitment to a fundamental, research-intensive culture and growth investment philosophy solidified his legacy in the financial community.

Born to the late Jean and Clair Bailey in 1937, he spent his formative years in Ontario and Michigan, earning a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, followed by an MBA in Finance at the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. In 1964, Bailey began a career as a securities analyst on Wall Street. Five years later, a leap of faith led to a relocation to Colorado, in pursuit of a lifestyle that aligned with personal interests and values, free from Wall Street conventions. Bailey's unconventional leadership style and approach at Janus, which focused on building a great team by attracting and retaining top investment talent, allowed the firm to thrive and earn numerous accolades, including induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2004 and a feature in "Forbes Greatest Investing Stories."

Beyond the world of finance, Bailey embarked on a new chapter, first building the Iron Rose Ranch and then breeding and training competitive cutting horses in Carbondale, Colorado. At the same time, he became a champion rider himself, earning numerous National amateur titles throughout the West. His passion for horses extended beyond the competition ring. He was a staunch advocate for equine medical research in partnership with Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The endowment of two tenured chairs at the university significantly advanced both veterinary and human medicine, reflecting his deep commitment to improving lives through research and education.

A dedicated steward of land preservation, Bailey acquired over 1,600 acres in the Roaring Fork Valley, Crystal Valley, and along the West Muddy in Delta County. Committed to leaving the land better than he found it, he thoughtfully recultivated it for regenerative agriculture and water rights while continuing his work with cutting horses, setting a precedent for future generations of Western stewards.

The Iron Rose Ranch was the crown jewel of Bailey's life. Over the last thirty years, he thoughtfully executed a plan to preserve the land for regenerative agriculture and continue the cutting horse operations he cherished. To secure this vision, Bailey transferred the land and operations into a 1,000-year trust, fully endowing it to protect its future. The ranch will continue his enduring legacy under the management of hand-picked trustees.

Travel was a constant thread in Bailey's life, woven through his passion for fly fishing and curiosity for new adventures, resulting in countless memorable experiences shared with his family and friends. He cherished the personal connections built through these adventures, whether it was skiing down the slopes with daughter Miranda, casting lines on the river with son Ryan, or exploring new destinations and unfamiliar cultures with wife Lisa and their friends. Bailey found wonder in sharing sunsets over silent deserts, exploring the bustling marketplaces of foreign cities, and drifting along tranquil rivers. These journeys were often commemorated through photography, leaving behind a collection of images that embody his sense of curiosity and adventurous spirit, as well as the special moments shared with Miranda, Ryan, and Lisa.

Bailey's passion and curiosity for life inspired those around him, especially his family, to live fully, pursue their callings, and embrace new experiences and challenges with an open mind and heart. He believed that whatever path a person chose - be it a career, hobbies, or personal endeavors - they should do so with passion, finding good energy by living, feeling, breathing, and striving to make a difference He instilled these values in his children as they navigated their own journeys in life.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Bernhoft Bailey; his former wife, Jeanne Bailey; their children, Miranda, Ryan, and Tanner Bailey, who predeceased him; and three grandchildren: Golden Rose and Wilder Bailey Lebovich and Clare Enid Bailey. Tom Bailey will be dearly missed by all who knew him, remembered as a fierce competitor, a cultural evangelist, and an enduring steward of the West.

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