Bonham, Texas -- A Celebration of Life for James Gerald Mayo, 94, of Bonham, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 at Boyd Baptist Church. Rev. Bill Ledbetter and Rev. Jerry Clements will officiate. Burial will follow in Willow Wild Cemetery. James passed away early Friday morning, Dec. 3, 2021 at Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home.
James was born Oct. 18, 1927 in Krum, Texas, the son of Aubrey B. Mayo and Fannie Maureen Bufford Mayo. He was a graduate of Farmersville High School. James married the love of his life, Doris Jean Davis on July 28, 1956 in Farmersville, Texas, and she preceded him in death Sept. 15, 2011. He served in the Merchant Marines and was a US Army veteran of the Korean War.
In 1956, James attended barber school and began barbering, a career that would span 51 plus years. The couple moved to Rockwall in January of 1960 and James owned and operated Mayo’s Barber Shop for 20 years. His customers were too numerous to count, but one stood out among the crowd – during 16 of these years, he cut Congressman Ralph Hall’s hair.
In 1980 he sold the barber shop and began to assist Doris in her wedding catering business until 1986. James was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockwall and served as a Deacon for over 50 years. They moved to Bonham in 1988 and James opened his barber shop in 1990. His career continued until 2006 when his health made it necessary to retire. He was a member of Boyd Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for many years. He also taught Sunday School classes including a 6th grade class which he taught along with Becky Farris.
James enjoyed farming and ranching, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Aubrey Eugene “Bud” Mayo and a sister, Billie Kay Hendrix.
James leaves to cherish his memories, his son, Mark Mayo and wife Tammy of Ector, TX, daughter, Sharon Jean Ledbetter and husband, Bill of Durant, OK; brothers, Harold Wayne Mayo (Joy) and Joe Carl Mayo; a sister, Emma Lea Burrow (Larry) of Corinth, TX; 5 grandchildren, Morgan Mayo Kelso (Colten), Mallory Mayo Evans (Reece), Miranda Mayo Lewis (Tyler), Jared Ledbetter (Jessica), and Jordan Ledbetter Mills (Logan); great grandchildren, Kambri Kelso, Carter Kelso, Rhett Evans, Ryle Evans, Jake Mills, Luke Mills, Piper Ledbetter, Mason Ledbetter and a baby boy Mills on the way; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Jared Ledbetter, Logan Mills, Colten Kelso, Reece Evans, Tyler Lewis and Steve Arthur. Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons of Boyd Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to the Grief Share ministry at Boyd Baptist Church.
The family wishes to extend a special Thank You to the doctors, nurses, caregivers and staff at Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home for their dedicated and compassionate care.
The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Dec. 7, 2021. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com