Donald Kenneth Mays

Donald Kenneth Mays
6/1/1927-10/4/2023
Donald "Pop" Mays, 96 of Wolfforth (Lubbock), Texas passed away suddenly in his home on October 4, 2023. He was born in Bridgeport, CT and lived for 94 years in the Stratford and Huntington areas until he relocated to TX in 2021.
Upon graduating from Stratford HS in 1945, Don enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served in the 831st Engineer Aviation Battalion in Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1947. After returning home at the end of WWll, Don became an expert in the drywall business and went on to establish his own successful company, Colonial Drywall in Stratford. He was fondly known as "Taper l" for over 40 years until he retired. He was an incredibly talented, self-taught craftsman who could build, remodel, or repurpose anything from children's furniture to entire homes. As a long-time volunteer at the CT Air and Space Center in Stratford, he helped to rebuild the historic Corsair fighter plane. There was no challenge too big or too small for Don to take on. He was also an avid boater and spent summers on Long Island Sound and Lake Zoar waterskiing with his daughters and their friends, and trolling for bluefish.
Don was a Charter Member of VFW post 9460 in Stratford where he remained active from its inception in 1947 until 2021. He was awarded Bronze Legacy Life Member status and recognized with gratitude for his years of commitment by the Commander-in-Chief of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He participated in nearly every meeting and social event at the "club". It was there that his comrades dubbed him "Cool Don" as he was a regular on Karaoke nights, belting out songs by his idol, Frank Sinatra. He really was the life of the party and loved by all.
Very soon after moving to TX, he joined Lubbock VFW Post 2466 and was warmly welcomed with love and respect as one of few remaining WWII Veterans. There he was presented with an American Flag flown over the US Capitol in his honor in recognition for his service to our Country and for being the longest active member of the Lubbock VFW.
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Violet, and then later in life by his companion, Norma Ramik. He is survived by his two daughters Donna Beatty of TX and Lori Friot (Rich) of NC; four grandchildren - Bryan Beatty (Ashley) of TX, Jason Friot of CT, Brett Beatty (Aimee) of OH, Kailyn Rhinehart (Kevin) of MO and nine great-grandchildren - Edin, Brooke, Ezra, Nora, Liam, Scarlett, Callie, Elliot, and Lucas.
He leaves behind his sister Sally Paul, of Stratford, several nieces and nephews and countless friends he made along the way who consider him family.
A celebration of life will be held in Stratford at a later date TBA.