Howard Lee Mayes

Howard Lee Mayes, age 86, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, September 4, 2022, at the Adams Street Nursing Home after a brief illness. Howard Mayes was born February 25, 1936, to Ruth and Hugh Mayes. He, along with an older sister, Delores, was reared in Moberly, Missouri. Howard attended Moberly Public Schools until his graduation in 1954. In high school, he was active in choir, band, football, and Boy Scouting. He studied drafting at Moberly Junior College (now Moberly Area Community College). He joined the U.S. Navy in 1958. Howard was primarily stationed in San Diego, California, and he served a tour of duty to Japan aboard the USS Coral Sea. After four years in the Navy, he was honorably discharged and returned to Moberly. Howard married the love of his life, Marion Ruth Hickman, on April 12, 1964, at West Park United Methodist Church in Moberly. The couple settled in Jefferson City when Howard accepted a position at DeLong's Inc. Their daughter and only child, Laura Ruth Mayes, was born in October of 1966. A few years later Howard took a position as a draftsman in the Missouri State Highway Department where he worked his way up to Senior Detailer of the Bridge Division. Howard retired from MODOT in the 1990s after nearly 30 years of service. Howard was an avid duck and occasional deer hunter, a sometime fisherman, and a nature photographer. He loved tinkering on cars and attending his daughter’s musical events. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his sister; his beloved wife; his nephew, David; and his precious granddaughter, Eleanor Grace. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Mayes Schweibacher (Andy Morrow); nieces, Sara and Jean; great-niece, Rachel; and great-nephew, Sam; as well as cousins, additional family and dear friends. Howard and Marion were devoted and longstanding members of the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City. The funeral service is planned for Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. at West Park United Methodist Church in Moberly. A brief graveside service will be offered at Oakland Cemetery in Moberly at 1:30 p.m. the same day. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Alzheimer's Association and/or the West Park United Methodist Church in Moberly.