Ben F. Mayo's Obituary
Ben F. Mayo entered into eternal rest on August 4, 2012. Ben was born in Richland , Texas on November 12, 1931 to Eugene and Lillian Miller Mayo. Ben graduated from Gaston High School in 1949 where he was captain of the basketball & football teams and also ran track. The 1949 basketball team went to the state tournament and Ben was selected to the all-state basketball team. He attended Kilgore Junior College for two years on a football scholarship.
Ben met the love of his life, Shirley Hayes at Gaston High School . Ben and Shirley married on January 27, 1951 at Fair Chapel Methodist Church in Wright City , Texas and moved to Kilgore where he worked for Oil Well Supply. Ben and family moved to Dallas in 1956 where he attended a training school with the Humble Oil Company and purchased a Humble Service Station in 1956. Over the next few years, Ben owned and operated two Humble Stations and an automotive garage. In 1963, Ben joined the Dallas Fire Department. After retiring from the Dallas Fire Department, Ben and Shirley moved to Henderson .
Ben's most rewarding career was husband, father, grandfather, & great-grandfather. Ben was dedicated, compassionate and humorous. He took great enjoyment in his family and friends. Ben had a passion for genealogy and traced his family roots back to England . Ben and Shirley were long-time members of the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson where Ben served as an Elder.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Lillian Mayo; brother, Gene Mayo; and sister, Virginia Cotton. Ben is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Hayes Mayo; his son Steve Mayo and wife Sheryl; daughter, Stephanie Crum and husband Terry; son, Scott Mayo and wife, Helen; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty Walker; sister-in-law, Margaret Mayo; brothers-in-law, B.J. Cotton, & Bob Hayes & wife Marty.
Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson located at 311 S. High Street in Henderson, Texas on Thursday, August 9th at 10:30 a.m. under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Henderson with The Reverend Candice Klein officiating. Burial will be at the Richland Cemetery in Richland , Texas on August 9th at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson or to the Hospice of East Texas.
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