Jason Francis Mayhew

Jason Francis “Joe” Mayhew, 87 of Cecil, Alabama, and recently relocated from Pawleys Island, South Carolina, passed away on December 5, 2023. Joe was born on December 12, 1935, in Danville, Virginia, to the late Jason C “Buddy” and Berla Mayhew. Joe grew up in Dundalk, Maryland.

After graduating from Dundalk High School, Joe attended the US Naval Academy, where he played soccer and lacrosse. Upon graduation he married his beloved high school sweetheart, Ann Shirley Mayhew, cross commissioned to the US Air Force, and started his distinguished military career.

Joe's career ranged from coast to coast, as well as overseas. He started in missiles with assignments to Vandenburg AFB, where he was on a crew that participated in the first successful launch of the Atlas ICBM and later moved on to FE Warren AFB. From there he pursued his masters in physics at SMU in preparation to lead and shape the future officers as an instructor and coach at the US Naval Academy. Continuing to apply his advanced degree, he spent time with the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB and served a tour in Vietnam.

The next assignment was a new career field as well as a new base. Eglin AFB kicked off Joe's civil engineering experience that lasted the remainder of his active duty time. This career field led to assignments at Ramstein AFB, Dover AFB, and Pope AFB where he was the Base Civil Engineer. His last two assignments were Saudi Arabia building base infrastructure to support F-15s for the Saudi AF and back to Wright-Patterson, finishing his career at Air Force Logistics Command HQ.

After retiring from the Air Force, Joe used his civil engineering experience at the University of Maryland to direct capital improvement around their vast state-wide campus. When he was ready to change his focus again, he fully retired and moved to Pawleys Island, SC, where he enjoyed golfing, photography, and wine tastings.

Joe was devoted to his wife and family, steadfastly loving them with leadership, guidance, grace, and mercy. He fiercely supported those he loved, working tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to help them succeed. He was active in St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church serving his spiritual family by teaching Sunday school, performing lay activities, and serving in various committees and leadership positions throughout his life of service. He was also active with the Masons.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ann Shirley Mayhew, in June of 2023. Joe is survived by his children Jeff (Shannon) Mayhew, Brett (Anita) Mayhew, and Pam (Omar) Williams, along with 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations for Joe can be directed to St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 180 St. Paul Place, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

Interment services at the United States Naval Academy, tentatively schedule for June 2024.

Interment service will be held at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium June 17, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Please RSVP to [email protected] to coordinate access to the Naval Academy.