Michael “Charlie” Mayes passed away on February 4, 2019 in Conroe Texas. Mike was born on February 6, 1946 in Brownwood Texas to Pete and Mina Mayes. Mike “Charlie” grew up in Midland Texas and graduated from Midland HS in 1964. Because of his grandparents, Pete and Faerine Mayes, he was able to attend North Texas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of music degree and a Master of education degree. While at North Texas State University, Charlie played in the One O’clock Jazz band that went to Washington DC and played a concert for President LBJ. He married Sandy Philley and they had two sons, Scott and Jeff. Charlie started his career as a band director in Alvin Texas. They moved to Houston, Lubbock and Albany Texas to continue his career. In 1988, Charlie moved to Beaumont Texas. He spent the next 25 years in Beaumont before he retired of teaching band in 2013 at which time he moved to Conroe.
Charlie was active in his church where he sang on the praise team. He loved playing his trombone and was able to play in municipal bands in Beaumont and The Woodlands. Once he moved to Conroe, he became an avid fan of the Woodlands High School sports, especially volleyball. He loved his family and loved spending time with his five grandchildren. He loved teaching all ages of kids. He was proud that he touched the lives of so many kids in his career and he hoped that he made a difference in their lives. He was also grateful for the many friends that he made through decades of teaching and after retirement.
Charlie is survived by his son Jeff Mayes, Jeff’s wife Jimmie Sue and their children Joshua, Sullivan and Josephine; his son Scott, Scott’s wife Shannon and their children Justin and Allison; his brother Robert, Robert’s wife Diane and their daughter Maggie; his brother Jody and Jody’s wife JoAnn, their two children, Jessica and Jeramiah; his sister Patricia and her three children Katy, Macie and Leslie; his brother John, John’s wife Valerie and their three children Bethany, Haley and Melissa.
The family of Charlie had a small private ceremony for his Houston friends and family. The family will also have another ceremony at the Mayes family reunion in DFW in June.
In lieu of flowers, Charlie would have loved for you to donate to your local high school band booster club.