John Ralph Mayes, age 70, resident of Page, Arizona, passed away at his home on September 27, 2021. He was born in Cottonwood, Arizona in 1951 to Ralph and Elizabeth (Doane) Mayes. He had been employed by Antelope Point Holdings, LLC, since 2011, as Risk Manager. John’s work included representing Antelope Point Marina in collaborating with the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, to assure the implementation of safety measures and adherence to laws, practices and policies of each entity. He was loved and appreciated by all. He was considered a leader, a problem-solver, and an expert in his field. He was adored by his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, and the children of his many friends. He was fun-loving, generous of heart, and had a gift for sharing humor and invoking laughter. John served on the Page City Council, the board of the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Substance Abuse Task Force, and contributed time, effort and interest in the Page Beautification Project.
John grew up riding his horse, Caesar, and waterskiing on Lake Powell. He loved the surrounding area, but most of all, he loved the community and the people in it. He had a work ethic like no other, getting his first job as a young teen as bus boy at the Lake Powell Restaurant, for Art Greene’s company, Canyon Tours, Inc. He worked in a variety of positions at Wahweap and Dangling Rope Marina for Canyon Tours every summer through high school and college.
John attended Northern Arizona University from 1969-1972. He then moved to Carson City, Nevada where he lived for nearly thirty years. He was employed by the City of Carson in several capacities, while he continued his education in water treatment and environmental safety. He retired from the City after 29 years, his last position as Carson City Risk Manager. John never wanted to completely retire. After leaving Carson, he worked for Forever Living Resorts in the company’s risk management division. His home office was Callville Bay, Lake Mead, where he lived for several years. During that time, he traveled throughout the United States to assist company management at various recreation properties in meeting all necessary environmental requirements to maintain concession contracts with the Park Service.
In 1957, at the age of six, John moved with his family to Page from Jerome, Arizona. His was one of a small group of pioneering families to settle in Page to support the building of the dam. His parents were recruited from the Verde Valley to help build the school district. Ralph was involved in construction and maintenance of school facilities while acquiring a fleet of busses to bring children from the surrounding Navajo reservation to school each day. Elizabeth (Betty) was one of Page’s first teachers. John attended elementary, junior high and high school in Page and was in the graduating class of 1969.
John met and married the love of his life, Lillian Ann Gray, in Carson City. They married in 1974 and had three children. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, his children, Tammie Ann Gray-Mayes (Christopher Farley), Tiffany Leigh Mayes Eholor (Patrick Eholor), Timothy John Mayes (Raquel Zevnick), grandchildren, Meisha Lauren Gray (Tammie), and Elidji and Esra Eholar, (Tiffany), brother, Ron Mayes (Sharon Mayes), sister Susan Mayes-Smith, (Devin Smith) and numerous nieces and nephews.
John is predeceased by his parents and sister, Nancy Noonan.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Antelope Point Marina, The Point Restaurant. (Please arrive early to allow time for transport).
In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Glen Canyon Conservancy and the Powell Museum (John Wesley Powell):
www.glencanyonconservancy.org
or mail check to: Glen Canyon Conservancy
P.O. Box 1835
Page, AZ 86040
So very sorry to hear this. Loved Johnny for what an awesome man he was. Will miss him at the reunions! 💕
Loved Johnny and his flirtatious nature when I work d the front desk at the wahweap Lodge
I’m lost for words. John was the coolest person. RIP my dear friend.
John and I worked together almost daily for the last 5 years. He was someone I could always depend on. He was a great friend and even better human. I continue to miss his presence.
Many condolences to the family. I adored Johnny. We worked together briefly many years ago and he was so much fun to be with and hang out with. He will be greatly missed by many
I wanted to express my sincere condolences to John’s family. His sudden passage was indeed a shock. I had the pleasure of working with John during the years he worked for Forever Resorts, and fortunately got to connect with him several times over the past years when he was working at Antelope Point Marina. John would always greet you with a big smile and a warm, caring greeting. He genuinely cared about people, and would always ask ‘how I was doing’, and about my family. The world would certainly be a better place if there were more people with a positive, caring spirit like John. I so wish I could have been able to be at Antelope Point Marina this afternoon for John’s service so I could pay my respects. I will be thinking of him today, and want the family to know that he will be missed by many. May God bless that he rest in peace.
I got to know John and Lillian during their time in Carson City. Two of my favorite people then and now. We lost contact over the years but I will always have the fondest memories of them both.