Ron Bailey, who died in a car wreck near the Blue Moon Tavern in 1985, was then in the prime of his career. Along with his brother and fellow artist they moved to the Flathead Valley from Great Falls in the 1960’s. Ron was the more outgoing and adventurous of the two brothers. They were both the students, close friends to Ace Powell., along with Joe Abbresscia. They often went fishing and painting together through out the Flathead Region.

Ron is best known today for his vivid alpine glow captured in his regional oil painting featuring snowscapes along with landscapes capturing the beauty of the Flathead Valley.