JAMES GORDON MAYS, 79, of Lavalette, W.Va., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at St. Mary's Medical Center.  He was born February 6, 1946, in Logan, W.Va., a son of the late Herbert and Ethel Mays.  His sister Lillian Callicoat also preceded him in death.  James was a US Marine Corp veteran serving in the Vietnam War.  He retired from Steel of West Virginia with over 30 years of service and was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church in Huntington.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy Mays; two sons, James (Kimberly) Mays II, and Thomas W. Damron, both of Lavalette; one daughter, Venisha Lynn (David) Butcher of South Point, Oh.; six grandchildren, Jessica (Will) Jackson, Jeremy (Chassee) Butcher, Tyler Butcher, all of South Point, Brittney Mays of Phoenix, Ariz., James Matthew Mays of Lavalette, and Hannah Mays of Huntington; and eight great grandchildren.

Also surviving is one sister, Juanita McComas of Raleigh, N.C.; special in-laws Nadine and David Curtis of Lavalette; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Johnson Tiller Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in the Pelfrey Cemetery, Lavalette.  Visitation will begin at noon.