Ray “Duffy” Mayo

Ray “Duffy” Mayo, age 87, of Gibbon, passed away Friday, March 4, 2022, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Memorial services were held Friday, March 11, 2022, at Gibbon Baptist Church with Pastor Taylor Shippy officiating. Inurnment followed at Riverside Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Gibbon American Legion Post #310 in conjunction with the Offutt Air Force Funeral Honors Team.

Memorials are suggested to Gibbon American Legion Post #310. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh. com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Duffy was born August 10, 1934, in Mesic, North Carolina, to E.R. and Neva (Lincoln) Mayo. He was raised in Mesic, North Carolina, graduating from the New Pamlico County High School in 1952. Throughout his childhood, Duffy spent time working the vegetable farm along side his parents. Duffy was active in fall and spring baseball at his school, playing in the state finals his senior year. He also enjoyed basketball and hunting with his dad whenever possible.

Following his graduation, Duffy enlisted into the U.S. Navy where he learned the electrical trade (working on airplane systems). After spending much of his time aboard ships, he traveled with his best friend, Gary Lewis, to see the country. Gary brought Duffy back to Kearney to spend time before he would attend school in North Carolina. Once in Nebraska, Duffy met Janice Cline. The couple dated and were married on July 22, 1956, at the Gibbon Baptist Church. Duffy and Janice traveled the U.S. as he spent a hitch with the U.S. Air Force so they could stay state-side together. They settled in Gibbon where they raised their family. Duffy and Janice became very active in the community and ventured into several businesses: Duffy’s Barber Shop, Mayo’s Convenience Store, and Mayo’s Electric Services.

Duffy was an avid hunter following his dogs in the fields. He became a golfer, spending the remainder of his life on the links. He was an active member in the Gibbon American Legion, filling many positions over the years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Janice Mayo, of Gibbon; children, Curt (Lorri) Mayo, of Gibbon, Renee Mayo, of Grand Island, and Shannon (Mike) Weidner, of Cypress, Texas; grandchildren, Brett (Meagan) Mayo, Erin (Bryce) Feeney, Ryan Mayo, Jayden Weidner, and Kylee Weidner; and great-grandchildren, Landon, Kaleb, and Simone Mayo.

Duffy was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Max and Ethel Cline; and his greatgranddaughter, Cecelia Wynn Mayo.