Donald Joseph Mays, 77, of Crossville, TN, long time former resident of Howell, MI, peacefully passed over to his eternal reward on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

Don was born on July 10, 1937 in Detroit, MI, the third child of Walter and Angela (Kennedy) Mays.   Don graduated from Detroit Catholic Central in 1955 and joined the United States Air Corps, serving from 1957 until 1961.   After 35 years, Don retired from Detroit Edison in 1997.  From 1969 until 1980, Don worked for the Livingston County (MI) Sheriff’s department and was an active member of the B.P.O.E. (Elks) in Howell (MI) from 1979 until 1986.  He was also actively involved in a number of community education and sports programs, including coaching Howell High School’s very first high school hockey team.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his elder siblings, John A. Mays, and Dr. Eileen M. Mays Green, and his younger twin sibling, Donna Jean Mays.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Margaret A. (Kuhlman) Mays.  Survivors include his four children with Margaret:  Mark Mays of Fort Worth, TX and his sons Jeffrey and Steven; Jean (Paul) Kluisza of Williamston, MI and their daughters, Allexis and Bailley; Nancy (Chuck) Davis of Powell, OH and his children Kyle, Kirsten and Kelsey; and MaryKay (Jim) Walker of Fowlerville, MI and their daughter, Kenzie.  He is also survived by his spouse, Jane (Moorman) Mays and her four sons: John (Nancy) Moorman, Matt (Gina) Moorman, Mark (Dawn) Moorman, and Joe (Pam) Moorman and each of their families.  Family and friends will greatly miss “Dad”, “Grandpa Don”, “Uncle Don” and “Coach Mays.”

Don’s children and Jane would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Standing Stone Care and Rehabilitation Center in Monterey, TN.

Funeral services will be held in Michigan at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks National Foundation, supporting both youth and veterans’ programs, at www.Elks.org/enf