Gary Dean Mayfield

Gary was born May 17, 1942, in Louisville on the farm to Raymond and Leone (Schrader) Mayfield.

Gary attended grade school in Nehawka. In 1955, the family moved to Garland where he graduated high school in 1959. After graduation, he farmed for his grandparents, Lester and Avis Schrader.

In 1962, he met Sonjia Lacy of Nebraska City. The two were married in 1965. To this union, they were blessed with a daughter, Rhonda, and son, Bradley.

Gary worked with his father at the Greenhorn Lime in Garland, before moving his family to Lincoln. For the next 43 years, Gary worked for Judds Construction and Atlas Company. While he traveled many places with his work, family always came first. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren and supported their involvement in sports and music. He also enjoyed attending the events of his many nieces and nephews. Gary enjoyed connecting with people and was always up for a family reunion. On February 22, 2025, Gary became the great-grandfather of Bradley Michael Gladson, and couldn’t have been more proud.

Gary was a lifelong sports lover, playing basketball in school, pitching city league softball, umpiring Little League baseball, golfing and bowling in a league. He and Sonjia were also the parents for the university baseball program, opening their home to Babe Ruth baseball players to stay during games and tournaments. You’d often see “Grandpa“ in the stands at Northeast High School sports and other local youth sports to cheer on his granddaughters and their classmates. Gary was a Master Mason of Western Star Masonic Lodge #2 of Nebraska City, since January 22, 1962. He was awarded his sixty year pin and was held in high esteem by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. Gary was a member of the Havelock United Methodist Church in Lincoln for 50 years. Gary‘s beloved puppy, Olive, accompanied him on many miles of walks and car rides and he enjoyed sharing treats with her.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sonjia Mayfield; daughter, Rhonda (Robert) Sanford; sister, Charlene Noden; sister-in-laws, Carol Mayfield and Edie Mayfield; grandchildren, Julia (Logan Garbers) Sanford, Kristin (Dakota) Gladson, Laura Sanford; great-grandchildren, Annelise, Gabriel and Bradley; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gary was welcomed to heaven by his parents Raymond and Leone Mayfield, son Bradley Mayfield, his siblings Valerie Friesel, Raymond Mayfield, Gene Mayfield and the rest of his family and friends on high.

A celebration of life for Gary will be 11:00 am, 10:00 am visitation, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Havelock United Methodist Church, 4140 N 60th St., Lincoln, NE 68507. The family wishes memorials to the family to be designated at a later date.