Harrell Gene Mays

Harrell Gene Mays, 88 of Little Rock, formerly of Jonesboro, passed away on October 2nd surrounded by his family.  Mr. Mays was born November 19, 1929 in North Jonesboro, Arkansas to John R. and Allie Wood Mays. He attended Jonesboro public schools and graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1947.

He began learning the electrical trade in 1946 – at $.50 per hour by working for local contractors. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation as an electrician and served on the destroyer U.S.S. John R. Craig (DD-885). He was honorably discharged in 1952 and used his training to become a journeyman wireman and later a master electrician and the Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union 1516 of which he remained a member for over 65 years.

As a result of his activities with the IBEW, Mr. Mays came to the attention of Governor Orval E. Faubus and was appointed to the Arkansas Workmen’s Compensation Commission. He served as a Commissioner from 1964 until 1970 when he was appointed as a Federal Mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

His service with FMCS took him and his family to Anchorage, Alaska – when he accepted an assignment as the Government Labor Mediator for the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline. When that assignment was complete, his position took him to Denver, Colorado, back to Little Rock and finally Memphis, Tennessee where he retired in 1997 after 27 years as a mediator.

He completed law school at night at UALR prior to moving to Alaska and took business classes at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. While with the FMCS, Commissioner Mays mediated many negotiations and strikes on the Alaska Oil Pipeline, various Alaska Teacher’s Unions and mediated the 1987 Teacher’s strike in Little Rock that closed schools for six days.

For over 65 years he was a member of Jonesboro’s F&AM #129 and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the honorable order of Kentucky Colonels, a member of the Kiwanis Club and the American Legion Post #21.

He enjoyed being outdoors as an avid hunter, fisherman and he loved playing golf. He always had a “project” and helped both his daughters renovate their homes in the last few years. He left his legacy in Jonesboro by subdividing his family’s property on Greensboro Road into a small neighborhood known as the Mays addition.

Mr. Mays is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jenna Garner Mays, daughters Leigh Mays Grant and Patti Mays all of Little Rock, son John Mays and his wife Deana of Raleigh, NC and two granddaughters, Elizabeth Parish Grant of Fayetteville and Catherine Anne Grant of Little Rock. He is also survived by his sister, Sarah Frances Dacus of Jonesboro, two nephews and their families.

Visitation will be held at Emerson Funeral Home, 1629 E. Nettleton, Jonesboro, Arkansas  Thursday, October 4th from Noon until 1:30 followed by graveside service and burial at Ransom Cemetery, Greensboro Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital: Arkansas Children's Foundation, PO Box 2222, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-9984.