Quietly, in his sleep, on January 9th, 2021, our loving father slipped from this world into the arms of Jesus.  He was greeted by our radiant Mother, the love of his life.

He was known to his work friends as Willie, a name he earned in a baseball game. His family called him Buck, a name given to him by his Grandfather Mayes. His church friends knew him as John, and his closest friends called him John Buck. We were blessed to simply call him Daddy.

He was a devoted family man and friend to all who knew him. He was known for his sharp mind and amazing recall of detail. He shared animated stories of his extraordinary life with four generations. Grandads lap was always the best seat in the house.

Born just two years before the Great Depression, he grew up the son of a sharecropper. He vividly described a life of hard work, no electricity, indoor plumbing, or television, only a battery operated radio to gather around and hear the Grand Ole Opry.

He was a proud veteran, joining the US Army at just 17 years of age.  He served in WWII in the South Pacific and walked the streets of Hiroshima just months after the dropping of  "The Bomb" as he would say. His stories of life there will always be a treasured memory. His service in Japan came with a heavy price. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he contracted diphtheria and tuberculosis, resulting in years of VA hospitalizations from Denver to Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham. He was a true patriot who loved his Country and was honored with a WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupational Medal with Japan Clasp.

He went on to study electronics in Trade School on the GI Bill and although disabled, forewent a lifetime of full disability pay to work for more than 40 years as manager and eventually owner of Radio Distributing and Supply Co. He was an antenna and picture tube guru, and formed many lasting friendships in the business. None were more special than the bond he shared with dear friend, Jim Hicks.

His greatest story was of Salvation. In 1966, after years of our mother praying, in the living room of his home, friend James Smith and Rev Jim Coleman led him to Christ. Oh what a happy day when he and the two oldest children were baptized together at James Memorial Baptist Church. He remained a faithful member there till death, and loved his time in Joe Hall's Sunday School Class.

Our dad loved life. He was strong and determined and made everything fun.  He loved the NY Yankees, The Alabama Crimson Tide, and was the best "sandbagger" Rook had ever known.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 62 years, Patsy Mathis Mayes, his parents John W Mayes Sr. and Ellen Elizabeth Mayes, eight brothers and two sisters, all of whom he dearly loved.

Left to cherish his memory are four children, Beverly (Ragan) Godfrey, Ronald Mayes, Myra (Bart) Scott, Carey (Katie) Mayes; grandchildren Brent (Meredith) Panell, Leanne (Darrell) Reed, Erick (Alyson) Anderton, Jessica (Rob) Jarvis, Michael (Katie) Bolton, Madison Bolton, Lauren, Mary Katherine and John W. Mayes III, five great grandchildren and a host of loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a chosen family member, attentive neighbor and friend, Mike Bolton, and beloved in-laws Teresa Mathis Reeves and William Earl Mathis. Additionally, we are forever grateful to Jeanette Bowen, his treasured caregiver, who brought him much laughter in the final weeks of his life.

Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. January 14, 2020, at Crestwood Cemetery. Rev Lonnie Byrd, Dad's favorite Rook partner and treasured friend of fifty years, will officiate. All who attend are requested to wear a mask and socially distance.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Judes Children's Hospital, dad's favorite charity. He wanted all children to have the opportunity to live a life as full as his.

Through Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we know that death is not the end. We will see you again Daddy, as the circle goes unbroken.