Leon Bailey was born on May 17, 1943 in Baltimore, and grew up in the Cherry Hill projects. He was raised by a single parent. At Carver Vocation Technical High School, He participated in cross country and wrestling, In 1955 he joined the first wrestling team at the Mc Kim Community Center. Upon graduation from Carver in 1962, he enlisted in the United States Navy and in 1963 and was attached to the aircraft carrier USS Essex CVS9's. During his service, he wrestled for the Navy, becoming the first and only African-American to be on the team at that time. In 1964, Leon won the New England six-state AAU Wrestling Tournament, becoming the first African-American to do so in the 136-pound class receiving an invitation to the 1964 Olympic trials and receiving a letter of commendation from the Navy. He became the first African-American to coach the Navy wrestling team at Quonset Point Naval Air Station. While coaching, he was a member of the Norlant Championship wrestling team, becoming a two-time Navy wrestling champion in 1965. In 1997, Leon founded the Edward Golder Memorial Scholarship Fund, and has served as its president for the past twenty years. Named after a Carver classmate who was killed in the Vietnam War. Leon has been recognized over the years with numerous awards, among them the Baltimore Outstanding Service and Dedication Award from Teamster's Local 557; a Distinguished Service Award from his 1962 Carver class; the McKim Alumni award for Wrestling; and the All Saints Lutheran Church Man of the Year Award. He has been married to his wife Annie for forty years and has three children. He is a member of All Saints Lutheran Church where he serves as an usher and was adult leader for the youth group.