Robert Alan Mays

Robert Alan 'Bob' Mays, of 333 West Fairway Drive, died on July 29, 2011 at 4:45 am in Sunset Home. Bob was born October 16, 1921 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Howard Laytham and Edna Beatrice Best Mays. He married Anne Markley Frank on March 8, 1969 in Quincy. She survives. He was formerly married to Alice Porter Morrison. Mr. Mays was a 1938 graduate of Quincy High School where he was a member of the band and orchestra. He graduated from Gem City Business College in 1939 and Northwestern University in 1943 with a B.S. degree in Industrial Management. He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1942 to 1954. He was a Lt. Commander in the Supply Corps and saw active duty during World War II and the Korean War. Bob lived his life according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, always trying to make Quincy and our country better. His favorite slogan was "I wondered why somebody didn't do something, then I realized I am somebody." He loved his large family, especially the gathering of everyone for the annual water slide party. His advice to his family was "Make today the best day of your life!" Founded by his father in 1923, Bob became owner and president of Flava Mfg. The ...[more]

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nder of Mays Real Estate, he was a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Mays Real Estate, Inc. with his son, Alan. He developed Spring Lake Estates and co-owned Valley View Campground and Mobile Home Park with George Irwin, as well as owning Mississippi Valley Canteen Service. He was involved in several other businesses: The Red Carpet, The Open Pantry and MyBo. He worked with Martin Baral to get businesses into the Quincy Development Center. Bob had a long career in residential and commercial real estate, particularly enjoying the preservation of several downtown Quincy buildings, including the Newcomb Hotel, 428 Maine, and The Park Hotel. He also developed with his son, Alan, Oakbrook Court and Spring Lake Estates II subdivisions, Kings Pointe condominiums, as well as a commercial development at North Pointe. A life-long member of First Union Congregational Church, Bob was trustee and chairman of the board. He also belonged to the American Legion Post #37; Quincy Noon Kiwanis Club where se served as president in 1956; The Quincy Museum, president from 1977 to 1983 and current board member; Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce as president in 1962; founding board member of the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area; Adams County Historical Society as a board member; founding and current board member of Friends of the Log Cabins; current board member of the Historic Quincy Business District; board member of Spring Lake Country Club; Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education; Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity; member of Adams County Republican Central Committee as well as precinct committeeman; alternate delegate to the Republican national Convention for Barry Goldwater in 1965; a founding member of JIDC, now GREDF; board member of the Adams County Homemakers; original member of the Indian Creek Development Corp; a Guardian with NFIB; delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in 1986; member of Lambert Lodge #659 AF & AM, the Quincy Consistory, Ansar Shrine, and the Quincy Shrine Club. From 1947 to 1977, Bob was a Quincy Park District Commissioner. In October of 1996, the Quincy Park Board dedicated Bob Mays Park on North 18th Street in his honor. He was awarded the Kiwanis Geroge F. Hixon Fellowship Award in 1998, the Uptown Commitment Award in 1995, the Distinguished Member Award for Community Service from the Illinois Association of Realtors in 1991, and the Outstanding Realtor Career Award by the Quincy Association of Realtors in 1996. Survivors include Bob's wife, Anne; children, Richard Mays of Fairfield, IA, Alan (Joan) Mays of Quincy, Jeffrey (Lori) Mays of Quincy, Elise Kimmons of Eugene, OR, Keith (Jennifer) Frank of Canton, IL, and John (Nancy) Frank of Quincy; 16 grandchildren: Devi Mays, Andrea (Kenneth) Knapp, Joseph D. (Kelly) Mays, Joseph P. Mays, Samuel Mays, Alexa Wendling, Megan Wendling, Jenna Schaljo, Levi (Ashley) Schaljo, Savanna Schaljo, Stephen Frank, Mathias Frank, Sarah Frank, John Frank, Jr., Thomas Frank, Molly Frank; and 5 great grandchildren, Kollin and Mckenzie Knapp, Meredith, Jack and Clara Mays. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Capt. USAAF Richard Best Mays, missing in action December 22, 1943; and his former wife Alice Porter Morrison Mays. Services: 10:00 a.m. Monday at First Union Congregational Church with Rev. Larry Wentzel and Rev. Stephen Bounds officiating. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #37. Inurnment: Woodland Cemetery Visitation: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday evening at Hansen-Spear Memorials: First Union Congregational Church, the Quincy Park District Foundation, Noon Kiwanis, Quincy Museum, Fr. Tom Brown Art Scholarship at Quincy University, the Quincy Humane Society, or the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area. www.hansenspear.com Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.