Ronald Allen Mayes
Ronald Mayes, 69, of Beaumont Texas, passed away on June 5, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, after a lingering illness.
Ron was born in Beaumont, January 19, 1950, to Ovay H. Mayes and Mildred Taylor Mayes of Winn Parish, Louisiana, and attended Beaumont Schools. In Junior High School he discovered earning money when he landed his first paper route and by high school had become expert in saving every penny with a second job in a gas station. He still managed to play baseball and was a pitcher to be feared. Graduating from French High School, he enrolled in Lamar College and earned his bachelor’s degree in Geology, all the while teaching guitar and banjo lessons to pay for his schooling.
With his graduation from Lamar, Ron accepted a sales position at Helena Laboratories Corporation and became the West Coast representative, relocating to the Manhattan Beach area of Los Angeles. With his musical talent and his congeniality, he soon built friendships with others who shared his interest and those would be friendships that lasted his lifetime. Ron and these friends formed a musical bluegrass group, “Turkey Run,” and regularly played such clubs as McCabe’s on the Los Angeles popular entertainment circuit.
In 1981, Helena Laboratories purchased a small plastics company in Marin County, California, and Ron transferred to the community of San Rafael to manage the marketing of laboratory plastics. He bought a house with an unbelievable view on the side of a mountain. Lemon trees climbed up his back yard slope and he was never long without Texas visitors. The plastics company continually expanded, and in 1990, Ron was moved back to the Beaumont office from which he commuted until his retirement in 2017.
Ron was preceded in death by his first wife, Kay Karr Mayes, who died in 1995. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his present wife, Amanda Lyn Smith Mayes, and also by his son, Waylon and daughter, Sofia. Also surviving are his brother, David Mayes, and sister, Ann Golias and her husband, Tipton.
He leaves nieces and nephews who will always remember him as a childhood playmate, a fishing buddy, a rough housing companion, and a really cool friend.
A gathering of Mr. Mayes’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.
Graveside Service
Graveside Service
- 4955 pine street beaumont tx 77703
- 06/10/2019
- 2:00 pm
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 06/09/2019
- 7:09 pm
Comments
Darlene Walker
He was a wonderful guy. He will surely be missed
Tom Naquin
The times I was in your presence at Sikes and The Ridge, you would always "Put salt on that cracker and bent them strings". Do the same now that you've crossed the river. Rest and play one in the shade, Ronny. .
David Pearman
My condolences to the family. We are one big family at Helena, and we will all certainly miss Ronnie. I always think of him when I visit Labcon, and how he always seemed like "Mr. California". He now brings his coolness to Heaven, where I'm sure he is hitting the strings right now. Rest in peace.
Steve Guidone
I had the pleasure of singing and playing music with Ronnie back in the 1970s in Los Angeles. He had a wonderful voice and was a great guitar player. Those times with him and our band were some of the best of my life and Ronnie helped make it so. He will be sorely missed. R..I.P. Ronnie Dove.
Marryl+ Cahill
Ron was the best man I’m my wedding. He will always be my “best man”. Peace to you Dove. Lovingly, Marilyn
Diane E Brown
my thoughts and prayer are with you Ann and Family. he is and will be missed at Helena. Not a day went by that he wasn't thought of. Fly high Ronnie.
Gail and Glenn Bevill
Our hearts go out to Mandy, Waylon and Sofia during this time of deep loss.
Jim Cahill
I met Ronnie Mayes back in the early 70s. He had been living out here in Southern California a short time when he ran into my friend Cw Mundy at a Guitar store in Manhattan Beach. Both were buying banjo strings. They struck up a conversation and Ron found out we needed a roommate in our old 4 bedroom beach house. He moved in shortly there after. That was the beginning of a great lasting friendship. One I cherished. Oh the jam sessions we had and the music we played! We formed a band and played gigs, festivals and shows throughout southern CA and even down at Club Med in Mexico! The band members always remained close. What great times we had. Ronnie was a superb guitar player (as well as banjo, mandolin, pedal steel) and had such a terrific voice. I have several recordings of us all back in the day. Love to listen to them. We gave him a couple of nicknames... the “Beaumont Flash” and the ”Dove.” Ronnie and I were housemates for about 3 years until I got married. He was best man in my wedding. We continued to play music together until he moved to Northern California in the 80s. He continued to come thru LA even after he had finally moved back to Texas. We always managed a jam session with several old picking buddies from back in the day when he came to town. That happened right up until a couple of years ago. In later years our phone conversations were dominated by talk of our kids, Martin guitars, banjos, mandolins and old times playing music etc. We laughed telling the same ol’ stories as old friends do. He always asked about my kids and was really excited about my son’s interest and evolving musical talents. I mentioned to him once that Greg was also interested in playing a pedal steel. A few days later, one showed up at Greg’s door! Ronnie was truly a kind, gentle soul. He was a talented friend, great husband to Mandy and father to his children. For those of you who knew him, I’m sure you will agree, he was a special person. Ronnie was a giver... in life he gave far more than he took. He will truly be missed. I will miss his southern Texas draw saying, “Hey Jim” when he called. I can hear it now. RIP my good friend.
James Kelly
Well, here we are, my daughter, Jennifer’, son, Gavin & myself....on the high-way to Beaumont, T’x....a road trip I truly wish we weren’t taking. Ronny Mayes, was not only my first cousin...but a dear friend and one hell-of a guitar picker & singer....Had the privilege of being his drummer for many years....He left his mark in many a “honky-rink or party....Ronny was my inspiration to learn the guitar....always wanted to play like he did....But that was impossible....but he certainly taught me a lot.....We practically grew up together.....He and brother David would come spend time in tall pine timbers & red dirt roads of Sikes, La......And I would get a taste of “city” life, visiting in Beaumont. There are so many wonderful memories.....I could write a book.......As everyone has said....Ronny was a peaceful soul....would he anyone in anyway he could......He always knew I wanted a Martin guitar.... and several years back “gave” me an HD28 (the one he’s playing in the “Memory Video “).....Words cannot express how much I will miss him & his music.....I am thankful this ol’ Universe brought us together.......”I love you, Ronny Mayes.....tell Mike “Hello” for me.....Let’s all celebrate his life with a song....I believe that’s what he would want.
Beverly Miller
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother, Ronnie. He will be missed greatly. I am sorry I never got to hear his music.
Frank Landers
A sad time for the Mayes family. And for the Helena Laboratories family. May we all take comfort in our pleasant memories of Ronnie, his cool demeanor, his musical talents and the way he made others feel. May he Rest In Peace now.