James Lee Mayo, beloved son of the late Robert and Irene Semien Mayo was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on April 21, 1962. He entered eternal life December 13, 2014. James was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carolyn Mayo Boutte; maternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Semien and paternal grandparents, Emil and Aria Mayo. Left to celebrate James'' life and legacy are his sister, Mary Dell Mayo; son, Briar Mayo; nephew, Bobby (Buck) Boutte'' and special companion, Jeanne "Cissy" Sims, all of Lake Charles. Also surviving are Briar''s mother, Deirdre Alexander and grandmother, Clara Shelton; James'' godmother and aunt, Helen Jones; aunts Laura Mayo, Emmaline Winford, Anna Fredricks and Willie Mae Dugas; uncles Gilbert Mayo, Donald Mayo, and Leroy Semien; godchild Sabrina Semien and a host of cousins and friends.

James was educated in the public school system of Calcasieu Parish. He attended Riverside Elementary (now Combre-Fondel Elementary School), Lincoln/Molo Middle School and Marion (now Washington Marion) High School. He was a proud and active member of the Marion Class of 1980. Throughout his formative years, James enjoyed learning and using his acquired education and skills for the common good.

Since the 1950s, the Mayo family has stood out as business leaders in Lake Charles. His parents owned and operated Mayo''s Grocery on Pear Street in the city. James inherited their spirit of service and entrepreneurship as a young man. His family and the faith community of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) also instilled in him a spirit of Christian leadership that inspired him as a teen leader of the IHM Catholic Youth Organization to run for, and win, the position of President of the National CYO in 1978. He also served in an advisory capacity with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

James Mayo was a member of Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA)''s Class of 1985. He held degrees in Political Science and Business Administration, disciplines that have served him well throughout his adult life. At Xavier, James excelled academically, socially, and in terms of community service on and off campus. He was especially active in XULA organizations and the Student Government Association, the Knights of Saint Peter Claver, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Beta Iota Chapter). After graduation, Mayo worked in a variety of business settings, small and corporate. In the 1990s, he returned to Lake Charles to assume a management role in the family business. He and a partner also launched a local enterprise and James affiliated with a variety of civic, social and service organizations, including the Healthier Communities Initiative, the Volunteer Center, the XULA Alumni Lake Charles Chapter, and the Fellas Social and Civic Organization.

Mr. Mayo gave 18 years of dedicated city service to the citizens of Lake Charles, first as Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Mayor and, more currently, as the Assistant Director of the Lake Charles Civic Center. A few of his accomplishments as a City of Lake Charles staffer include development of a "Let''s Do Business" program, highlighting the Mayor''s Commission on Disability and increasing public participation in the Partnership for Action on Elderly Issues through community forums.

At the time of his death, Mayo was in his first term on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. His passion for the future of this community along with his strong family values compelled him to seek elected office to represent CPPJ District 2 that includes Wards 1 and 3 and portions of the Moss Bluff area. Mr. Mayo served on the following Police Jury Committees: Public Works Committee (Chair), Agenda, Ways and Means, General Insurance, Alcohol Review and Parishwide Drainage Liaison.

A loving father, friend and family man, a true peacemaker and faithful colleague, and an expert in the finer skills of hospitality and leadership, James Mayo will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: December 20, 2014

Services for Mr. James Mayo are as follows under the direction of Combre Funeral Home: Wake service on Friday, December 19 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Rosa Hart Theatre from 2:00 - 9:00 PM and Saturday, December 20 from 8:00 - 9:15 AM; the Funeral Mass on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 2031 Opelousas Street, Lake Charles. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery and a repast in the Buccaneer Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center.