Surrounded by his family, FRANKLIN PAUL MAYES went home August 4, 2010. Frank had a wonderful life. He was born April 19, 1923, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Franklin Lee Mayes and Mellie Short Mayes. His siblings included Guy Elwood (Noisey), Harry Maywood, Dillman Lee, George Randoph (Dolph), Loring Hunter (Pete), Evelyn Virginia, and Mary Elizabeth Mayes, and half-brothers Garlon and Russell Short. Frank joined the Army Air Force at the age of 19. He was a fighter pilot during WWII in the China-Burma-India Theatre, served in the Korean War, participated in the Berlin Air Lift, and kept B-52's in the air at the Strategic Air Command base in Minot, ND. In 1964, after 22 years service to his country, he retired from the US Air Force as an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant. Frank then spent 24 years working in public relations at the Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake City. He attended Lazybrook Baptist Church, was a 50+ year Shrine Mason, and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For years it was Frank's greatest privilege to honor his fellow veterans as a color guard for the Dickinson VFW chapter. Frank embraced life like few people we have ever known. The tales of his youthful exploits were sometimes riveting and mostly hilarious. A man who told you exactly what he thought, Frank had little use for material things. His priorities were his country, family, and friends. His joy for life was infectious, and everyone who knew him has been enriched by the experience. Frank is survived by his brother Randolph, his dear wife of 35 years, Joyce Mayes, daughters Paula Mayes Coupe and husband Brian, Joycelyn Webster and husband Bill, Cheryl Howard and partner Kendra Cook, sons Doug Howard and wife Jane, Steve Howard, Ron Woods, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a host of dear family members in Virginia, and countless friends from his military service, the VFW, Shriners, and NASA. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 7th, from 6-8 pm at James Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 9th, at 9:30 am, at Houston National Cemetery on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Houston. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Frank Mayes to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dickinson Chapter, 5204 Highway 3, Dickinson, TX 77539.
Published in Houston Chronicle on August 6, 2010
Published in Houston Chronicle on August 6, 2010
Surrounded by his family, FRANKLIN PAUL MAYES went home August 4, 2010. Frank had a wonderful life. He was born April 19, 1923, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Franklin Lee Mayes and Mellie Short Mayes. His siblings included Guy Elwood (Noisey), Harry Maywood, Dillman Lee, George Randoph (Dolph), Loring Hunter (Pete), Evelyn Virginia, and Mary Elizabeth Mayes, and half-brothers Garlon and Russell Short. Frank joined the Army Air Force at the age of 19. He was a fighter pilot during WWII in the China-Burma-India Theatre, served in the Korean War, participated in the Berlin Air Lift, and kept B-52's in the air at the Strategic Air Command base in Minot, ND. In 1964, after 22 years service to his country, he retired from the US Air Force as an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant. Frank then spent 24 years working in public relations at the Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake City. He attended Lazybrook Baptist Church, was a 50+ year Shrine Mason, and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For years it was Frank's greatest privilege to honor his fellow veterans as a color guard for the Dickinson VFW chapter. Frank embraced life like few people we have ever known. The tales of his youthful exploits were sometimes riveting and mostly hilarious. A man who told you exactly what he thought, Frank had little use for material things. His priorities were his country, family, and friends. His joy for life was infectious, and everyone who knew him has been enriched by the experience. Frank is survived by his brother Randolph, his dear wife of 35 years, Joyce Mayes, daughters Paula Mayes Coupe and husband Brian, Joycelyn Webster and husband Bill, Cheryl Howard and partner Kendra Cook, sons Doug Howard and wife Jane, Steve Howard, Ron Woods, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a host of dear family members in Virginia, and countless friends from his military service, the VFW, Shriners, and NASA. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 7th, from 6-8 pm at James Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 9th, at 9:30 am, at Houston National Cemetery on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Houston. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Frank Mayes to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dickinson Chapter, 5204 Highway 3, Dickinson, TX 77539.
Published in Houston Chronicle on August 6, 2010
Published in Houston Chronicle on August 6, 2010
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