E. J. Mayes

E. J. Mayes was born December 31, 1936 in Kyle, Texas. He was the third of five children born to Thomas Lee Mayes and Ruby Whisenant Mayes. At the young age of ten, E. J. asked Jesus to be his Savior at a church his grandfather pastored in San Antonio and was baptized by his grandfather in a nearby river. On October 16, 2024, his work on earth was finished and God called him to his Heavenly home. E. J. lived his younger years in Buda, San Marcos, San Antonio, and Austin where he began working at the age of 12. He worked before and after school at a local dairy farm. As a young man, he was active in FFA where he was proud of his champion animals. He continued to support FFA throughout his adult life and was an ever-present figure when his sons and grandchildren were showing animals. In November 1955, he met the love of his life, Evalyn Hardin, who was visiting her sister in Austin. Six weeks later, on December 5, 1955, they were married. In 1959, they relocated to Oklahoma to be near her family. E. J. was a mechanic by trade, and worked at several local garages over the years, including Gibble Gas in Webbers Falls, Marsden Radiator, Skinner’s Service Station, Ammons Modern Auto which later became Modern Auto and Wrecker. In 1982, with one wrecker, himself and one other mechanic, he fulfilled a lifetime dream when he opened Mayes Auto Repair & Wrecker in a small shop on West Broadway in Muskogee. He later purchased a larger building and moved the business to its present location on Iola Street, where his son Steve continues his legacy. E. J. was an honest, caring person who treated people with the respect and consideration he believed everyone deserved. He taught his family the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. Anyone who knew E. J. will remember the cigar he always had in his mouth, never lit, only there for chewing. He was a storyteller, and loved sharing stories about his shenanigans when he was younger, the wild repossessions, and crazy wrecker calls. Next to his wrecker, he enjoyed raising cattle, gardening, hunting and fishing. He shared his love of animals and the outdoors with four generations. E. J. was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; two brothers; his wife of 52 years, Evalyn; his youngest son, Bobby; daughter-in-law, Kristi; and an infant granddaughter, Avery Grace. He is survived by his three children, Patricia Matson and husband Billy, Deborah Baker and husband Mike, and Steve Mayes; along with bonus daughters, Rhonda Moran and Marcie Mayes. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Trent Herriman and wife Sheena, Melissa Baker and husband James Reynolds, Tyler Mayes and wife Brianna, Nate Mayes, Lindsey Mayes, Dawniell Willingham and husband Josh, Michael Stafford, Amanda Matson, Tobey Matson and Heather Darnell; 20 great-grandchildren; plus one due to arrive in December 2024; 4 great-great-granddaughters; 4 sisters-in-law; along with numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. The man, the myth, the legend—E. J. was a man of small stature with a huge heart who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family would like to thank the ICU nurses who gave E. J. excellent care at Saint Francis Muskogee; Dr. Jeremy Ross and his staff who always treated E. J. like family; our church family at Oldham Memorial Baptist for their prayers, love, and support; and the staff at Seasons Hospice who gave E. J. and his family both care and comfort during the last few days. E. J.’s life will be celebrated at 10AM, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Oldham Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Glen Little officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with John Pearson, Charles Pearson, Steve Osborn, Tom Osborn, Billy DeLay, and Scott Schroeder serving as pallbearers.

E. J. Mayes

December 31, 1936 - October 16, 2024