Tommy L. Mayfield

Tommy L. Mayfield Corpus Christi , TXTommy Louis Mayfield, 79, lost his valiant battle with multiple myeloma cancer on October 2, 2012. Born on January 7, 1933, to the late Oscar E. and Alma Bell Mayfield in San Patricio County, Texas, Mr. Mayfield was welcomed home by his 16 month old brother, the late Charles E. Mayfield. The family resided on their farm south of Taft.Mr. Mayfields educational background began in a small one room school house in Sodville, Texas where he, his brother, and other Mayfield cousins learned the fundamental skills which prepared them for their higher education at Taft High School. Mr. Mayfield excelled as a left handed pitcher in baseball for the Taft Greyhounds and received recognition as outstanding player in basketball on more than one occasion.Upon graduation from Taft High School in 1950, Mr. Mayfield attended the University of Texas in Austin where he aspired to play basketball until a family situation necessitated his transfer to Texas A & I in Kingsville (currently TAMUK), nearer to home. While there he met his beloved wife, Margie Steen, from Cuero, Texas. They married on Christmas Day in 1954, on her parents 25th wedding anniversary, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cuero. Following their graduation from college in May 1955, the Mayfields moved to Pecos, Texas to begin their lives together overseeing the Mayfield family farming operations in Reeves County.Called to military duty by the Army in November of 1955, Mr. Mayfield was trained in Chicago, Illinois and subsequently transferred to New York City where he was assigned duties with the United States Army Veterinary Corps. While stationed in New York City, his daughter, Patricia Dawn, was born in Corpus Christi; she and her mother joined him in New York City when she was five weeks old. Following an honorable discharge from the military, the Mayfields resumed their lives in Pecos where their second child was born. Russell Clay completed their family; he currently is a businessman residing in Corpus Christi. Mr. Mayfield was a man of the land who greatly enjoyed farming, hunting, and fishing. Dedicating his time to farming operations, he had the distinction of producing the first bale of cotton in the nation five different years. In 1965 the bale was flown to New York City, compliments of Eastern Airlines, for display at the Worlds Fair. Subsequent bales were displayed at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Mr. Mayfields professional affiliations included service on numerous boards and committees. He served longer than anyone had previously served during his tenure with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), currently the Farm Service Agency (FSA), in Reeves County.In 1977 the Mayfields moved from Pecos to Harlingen to oversee the farming operations in Cameron County. In 1992 Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield were honored by being chosen Don & Dona de Algodon, recognizing them for their dedication to the cotton industry. They moved to Corpus Christi in 2002 and became members of First Presbyterian Church.An avid reader, Mr. Mayfield retained facts to share with others, especially regarding South Texas history. A kind and compassionate gentleman, he was admired for his patience and appreciated for being a captive listener, with an ever genuine interest in what the family members and friends he loved had to say. A selfless individual, Mr. Mayfield was always pleased about the successes of others.Mr. Mayfield is survived by his wife Margie, daughter Patricia Crane (Joseph Michael) of Bay City, son Russell Mayfield of Corpus Christi, one grandchild, Ashley Walters Kanter (Nick) of Pacific Palisades, California, and one great grandchild, Elle Adelaide Kanter, born in April 2012.In addition to his immediate family, Mr. Mayfield is survived by his sister-in-law Mildred Cage Steen (Charles Arlen Steen, deceased), niece Barbara Steen Smith, and nephew Mark Charles Steen (Terrie) of Corpus Christi; his brother-in-law Lias Brown (Bubba) Steen of Cuero, nephew Lias Jeffery Steen (Barbara) and niece Shannon Steen Mann (James) of Houston, and nephew David Jennings Steen (Yuniedth) of Austin. Other survivors include three grand nieces: Melanie Carroll Steen, Emma Louise Mann, and Scarlett Jennings Steen, and seven grand nephews: Lias Walker Smith, Andrew Chase Smith, Charles William Steen, Jacob Calvert Steen, Ian Jennings Mann, Fauye Nicolas Bennett, and Lias Fletcher Steen.Mr. Mayfield was blessed with numerous friends in his lifetime. Among his many cherished friends and cousins are the following extended family members: Sharon Steen Dunnam of Victoria; Dawnica, Lunden and Kaden Owens of Corpus Christi; Ann Rice of San Antonio; Vicki Sterquell of Houston; and Paul Walton of Corpus Christi.Mr. Mayfield was a fine example of that generation of people respected for their earnest work ethic, willingness to sacrifice, high moral standards, and strong faith. He left a memorable imprint on the lives of all he knew. He will be missed by many.The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the staffs at The Mirador Plaza and Angel Bright Hospice, as well as the Visiting Angels who took care of Mr. Mayfield the past few months. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor prior to the service. There will be a reception following the service in Kleberg Hall at the church. At Mr. Mayfields request, his grand nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers, with Kaden Walter Owens assisting as an acolyte.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Mayfields name may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 430 S. Carancahua, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401, or to a charity of ones choice. To view tribute, please www.seasidefuneral.com.