Thomas "Tommy" G. Mays

Thomas Gardner “Tommy” Mays III Born: January 24, 1924 at the family home in Maysville, Oklahoma to S.J. and Julia Houghlin Mays. Passed on Friday afternoon on December 2, 2011 at the Norman Specialty Hospital. Age: 87 Tommy Mays is a member of one of the families that pioneered this whole area of Oklahoma. The lineage of parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are all included in the history books of Garvin County and early day Indian Territory and Oklahoma. Tommy attended primary and secondary school here and after graduation enrolled at Kemper Military Academy for 2 years. On June 17, 1944 he married Jo Frances Miller of Lindsay, Oklahoma. Tommy was a Veteran of WWII serving as a machine gunner in the Army Air Corp with a B-17 bombing crew called the Hell’s Angels Combat team of the 303rd Bombardment Group stationed in Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, England from September of 1942 to June of 1945. This crew of brave men flew many missions over German occupied cities in the European Theater. After the War, he and Jo Frances moved back to Maysville to make their home, and start their family, first Joe Thomas and later J Carroll. Tommy and Jo Frances were both very active in community affairs and with not only involvement in the family farm, but Tommy was a member of the Maysville School Board and a volunteer Fireman for many years. He managed a mile long go-cart racing track, known over a large area of south central United States that is still remembered today. He owned and operated Mays Auto Supply for many years. Later with the Citizens Band Radio craze getting started, he opened Tom’s Two-way Radio Sales and Repair. Mixed in liberally with all of his business activities were school functions with and for his children, along with weekend lake get-a-ways and other fun activities that could get squeezed in such a busy life. After the boys finished highschool and started with their careers, Tommy and Jo Frances enjoyed travel opportunities and would meet other travel trailer friends anywhere and everywhere with southern Colorado being a great favorite, Fun Valley and later Moon Valley held great memories for not only them, but for other families here today. Tommy Mays was a man of faith. He is our oldest member of continuing membership, since 1936. He is a member of the Dan Malone Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church of Maysville and has served as an accounting officer for Church finances for over 60 years. He liked to tell of going to Falls Creek as a young boy and not staying in cabins like today, but in tents for the week-long youth crusades. Of all of his accomplishments and endeavors, his greatest were his love and care for his parents, especially his mother in her later years, his great love and support of his boys in their lives and careers and his love and support for his wife of 67 years in her struggle with her health. He will be well remembered. He will be missed greatly. He will rest in peace provided by his Savior. Survivors: His Sons: Joe Thomas Mays and wife Betty of Maysville, and J Carroll Mays and wife Carrie of London, England. 2 Grandchildren: Lisa Wagner and Morgan Mays. 2 Great-Grandchildren: Tyler Wagner and Madison Wagner. Tommy is also survived by other relatives and a great number of friends everywhere. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, S.J. Mays in 1969, and Julia Mays in 1987, and by his wife Jo Frances in February of this year. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday December 6, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Maysville, with Rev. Jim Paslay and Rev. Steve Spangler officiating with burial in the Mays Family plot of the Maysville Cemetery under the direction of John Williams of Winans Funeral Home. Maysville American Legion will make the Flag presentation to the Family in recognition for his service to his Country. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com