Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 11, 2021

John Richard Mayo, 60, of Charlotte, NC passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021, one week after suffering cardiac arrest while out for his usual Saturday morning run with friends. The family will receive friends 4:30-7:00 pm, Saturday, September 18 in the fellowship hall of Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Blvd, Charlotte NC. John’s life was all about joy so please no black attire. To keep the family safe, attendance is limited to vaccinated individuals only.  

John was born in New Jersey to the late Richard and Lois Mayo. From the moment he was born he never sat still. He drove across the country to attend University of Colorado at Boulder, from which he graduated with degrees in Anthropology and Political Science. After working on a salmon boat off the Aleutians for a summer and hitchhiking his way back from Alaska, he attended Arizona State College of Law, where he received his J.D. after winning Best Brief in the National Environmental Moot Court Competition. He loved being a lawyer and his expertise spanned across many areas. He started his career as a judicial clerk in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, after which he worked at Shanley & Fisher in New Jersey before spending the rest of his career as in-house counsel for several manufacturing companies, including serving as General Counsel for Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, Latexco, LLC and Fairbanks Morse, LLC.

John had a very full life outside of his legal career. He loved taking care of his farm and would spend many happy hours riding his tractor with his beloved labs following behind. He built many a stone wall, planted redwood trees that are now 50 feet tall, and cleared trails throughout the woods. A weedwhacker, chainsaw or leaf blower was never far from him. He built swing sets, tree houses, train tables and doll beds for his children. He and his family traveled often, and they especially loved snorkeling and chasing flowing lava. John was an expert skier and loved to lead his family down runs that he forgot to mention were triple black diamond.

John befriended anyone who came within 3 feet of him. He loved to have fun and was never known to have a serious moment. John’s friends were diverse and wide-spread, and he always “knew a guy” to call for whatever problem needed to be solved. He was genuinely charming and he always had a good story. Rarely a day would go by that he didn’t help someone, whether neighbor or stranger.  He was a long-time member of the Charlotte Ballet Board of Trustees and volunteered with Innovate Charlotte mentoring entrepreneurs. Even in death he continued to help others through organ donation.

Above all, he loved his family. He always made lunch for the kids even though they were teenagers, and cherished the time he spent driving them to school. He taught them how to always look on the bright side and never, ever give up.  His ever-present laughter, singing, talking and goofy dancing brightened up every single day. He showed his wife every day that he loved her.

John leaves behind his wife Judy, daughters Melissa and Jessica and son Dylan; sister Debbie (Karl); sister Karen (Rod); brother Chris (Benita); sister-in-law Susan (Jorge); many other relatives including 15 nieces and nephews who adored their fun uncle; his beloved chocolate lab; and enough firewood to heat the house for years.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Charlotte Ballet or TreesCharlotte in his memory.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.