More detail on this person: Colonel Bob Mayo Colonel Bob Mayo, U.S. Air Force retired, flew west on his last flight on Jan. 29, 2008, with his destination, Heaven. He was born in Washington D.C. to Ed and Elva Mayo on June 8, 1935. Bob graduated from The Citadel as an electrical engineer in 1957 and was commissioned in the Air Force. On Christmas Eve of that year, Bob married the love of his life, Glenda. Bob completed his fixed wing training and then helicopter pilot training in 1959. Bob served as a pilot instructor for the South Vietnam Air Force in the early 1960s. Subsequent assignments included Korea; the Pentagon; Quantico, Va.; Tactical Air Command (now Air Combat Command) at Langley, Va.; with additional assignments in Reno, Nev.; Selma, Ala.; Pennsylvania and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Bob was selected as the first commander of the reconstituted 20th. Special Operations Squadron in 1976. During that time, Bob was instrumental in forming the policies, procedures and training for the crews of that famous squadron. Bob retired as Vice Wing Commander at the 1st. Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla., on Nov. 30, 1983, after 26 years, 6 months service. Much of Bob's service was spent in Special Operations where he held leadership positions at several levels. His numerous awards and decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit award and a Vietnam Service award, to name just a few. After retirement, Bob worked for Connelly Engineering of Raleigh, N.C., and then the Eglin Air Force Base engineering support companies of VSE, Inc., RMS Technologies, Semcor Inc. and Titan Corporation. While his career revolved around the helicopter world and contri-butions to combat rescue and special operations missions, his life revolved around his family. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Glenda of Fort Walton Beach and his children and grandchildren. His legacy includes his son, David Mayo and wife Lauri and their sons, Drew and Jared as well as his daughter Elizabeth Ann and her husband Bill Tasillo and their daughter Lauren and son William. He is also survived by a brother, George Mayo, of California and a sister, Camille Mentzer, of Orlando and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was a life-long Methodist and member of the Shalimar United Methodist Church. Bob's contributions to his faith include roles as chairman of the Pastor Parish Relationship Committee, Church Council and Finance and Visitation Committee. Services will be with full military honors at the Shalimar United Methodist Church on Feb. 2, 2008, at 3 p.m. with Pastor Dr. Larry Bryars officiating. A reception in the church will follow the ceremony.
This information was last updated 07/09/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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