Harold Mayo

On September 24, 2022, Harold Wayne Mayo, better known as “Coach Mayo”, put one in the “win” column as he won the fight against cancer and went to be with his Heavenly Father.  Harold was born on October 8, 1939, in McKinney, Texas. He would modestly claim that being the youngest of six children caused him to be a fast runner for survival. This talent served him well in life. He graduated from Farmersville High School as an All-District selection in baseball, track and football.  His athletic career did not end there.  Next stop was Kilgore College and Lamar University where he played football and ran track.  He was team captain for both teams and named All-American at Kilgore College.

Harold and coach are synonymous--you cannot have one without the other.  His lifetime included over 25 years of coaching experience.  His nine years of high school experience included district championships at Vidor High School, McKinney High School, and Kilgore High School. He was part of the state winning staff at Plano High School. He led Taylor High School as athletic director and head coach to a 7-3 record, the first winning team in 10 years.  Coach Mayo’s 16-year college career continued at Rice, Howard Payne, Texas State, San Angelo State and University of North Texas.  As an offensive coach, he helped lead Rice to the best record in 30 years and San Angelo State to the National Championship.  He also served as athletic director and head coach for Howard Payne and San Angelo State. He was invited to help coach quarterbacks at the Dallas Cowboys training camp.  One of his treasured honors was being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Kilgore College.

Harold was a notable coach, but more importantly he was a mentor to others around him—a life coach. Yes, his passion for athletics was strong, but his compassion for others was immeasurable.  He never hesitated to lend a helping hand to an athlete or mentor a fellow coach not only in sports but in life.  In 1990, he “retired” from coaching to marry the love of his life, Joye Mayo, and start a dairy.  However, coaching was in his blood, and he went from large college stadiums to Friday night lights in the small rural town of Roby, Texas, and still managed to milk 200 Jersey cows twice a day. He later became athletic director and head coach at Rotan High School.  Eventually, he did retire to a life of real estate, insurance sales, working bird dogs, hunting trips, horseback riding, and doting on the wife and family he adored.  He was so much more than just Coach Mayo; he was a Godly mentor, husband, father, grandfather (lovingly known as HaHa), brother, son and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Joye Mayo of Hamlin, Texas; daughters and spouses, Kellye and Jim Nye of Friendswood, and Debi and David Himsel of Baytown; grandchildren and spouses, Candace and Justin Kirby of Bellville, Marla and Cameron Jordan of Seabrook, Keely Himsel of Baytown, and Lindsey Himsel of Leander; great-grandchildren, Ella Rae Kirby, Levi Jordan, Jessi Jordan, and Anson Kirby; and sister and brother-in-law, Emma Lea and Larry Burrow.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fannie and Aubrey Mayo; wife, Betty Mayo; son, Chris Mayo; brothers & sisters, Bob Mayo, Billie Kaye Hendrix, Aubrey Mayo, and Joe Carl Mayo.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:30 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Adams-Ray Funeral Home, 505 Northwest 5th Street, Hamlin, Texas, 79520.  Funeral services will be held at 10 am Friday, September 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 217 SW Ave B, Hamlin, Texas, 79520 with Pastor Russ Ponder officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 8 Hamlin, Texas 79520.