Leonard Paul Mayo Sr.

1938 - 2025

May 14, 1938 - Jan. 28, 2025

Leonard Paul Mayo Sr. was born to Katherine Mayo in the spring of 1938 at muskrat camp near the historical settlement of Kallands, downriver of the village of Tanana on the Yukon River. As with many river children who earn nicknames, Leonard was affectionally known as "Dutch." Leonard grew up in a wild place of adventure and hard work; woodcutting, fish camps, hunting, trapping, gold panning and running dog teams.

Leonard, recognized as a diligent worker, began providing labor at the age of 13 in Rampart for a well-known serial entrepreneur and job creator named Ira Weisner. Dad enjoyed cooking and cleaning for his brothers and sisters when they were all young and he continued his culinary skills up to his last year on earth with one of his favorite dishes: salmon head soup. Leonard grew up with the giant plentiful king salmon from the Yukon River. They were his favorite. To diversify his meals one summer, he and his brother Ed crossed the Yukon River from Rampart, found a moose, and transported it down a steep hill to their riverboat.

Leonard attended Main Junior High School until eighth grade with good marks, but the practicality of making a living was a high priority. Around this time, dad won the Junior North American Dog Musher's five dog 10-mile sprint race in 1954. Dad continued with a mix of living off the land and cash economy jobs, a variety of occupations from woodcutting and janitorial to working as a baker at Santa's Bakery. Also, an enjoyable time on the Alaska Railroad. Then something big happened: oil was discovered on the North Slope.

Prior to this, Leonard met his wife Louise Tansy Mayo, in Fairbanks, who was a schoolteacher. This is what he needed - discipline and focus. The family started with Paul Jr. in 1964. In the early 1970s dad, like his brothers, joined unions, and dad joined the Laborer's Union, working on many construction projects with the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Dad made many friends on these projects, and Paul worked with dad on a railroad project to Eielson Air Force Base. It was hot that summer, and at the age of 24, I watched as dad and Eli Aragon, in their mid-50s, moved rail 10 hours a day, six days a week. Other memorable projects include the Intertie Electrical Project with the Idaho loggers, volunteer community construction jobs, and retiring with a healthy union pension.

Dad raised his three boys in Fairbanks and Cantwell. He had a way with words and a colorful metaphor and took the boys on the fun outdoor adventures. Our mother provided the necessary discipline, which was beneficial for the boys, resulting in our success in school.

I remember I was with my grandpa and my cousin Charlie about 1979 sitting on a higher bluff scanning the horizon for moose. In my hunting scope, at 14, I saw something two miles away. I saw these individuals like a mirage walking across the tundra to our cabin site, like it was on a movie screen. It was my dad with friends Eddie and Geno - we did not expect them to show up. My grandpa Jake was so happy to see them. We pulled a moose in the next day over tough terrain.

Dad enjoyed meeting friends at bingo and playing the card game Pan in Fairbanks. Pan is related to the card play of the gold rush. Dad remained restless and joined any activity. Even in later years, he traveled too. Recently, I drove dad to Anchorage for a medical appointment, but once there, he wanted to immediately return to Cantwell after one night to take care of his wife by cooking and cleaning. As we hit the open mountain range 25 miles south from Cantwell, dad said, "It's good to be back in the homelands again." Earlier that day, dad had his first mocha coffee, and breakfast at Jackie's Café.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Louise Mayo; sons, Paul, Scott and Adam; traditional daughter, Tammy Sivigliano; grandchildren, Ryan, Kristina and Katie Mayo; brothers, Edward and Clyde (Kathy); and sister, Peggy Wright.

There will be a burial at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 5, with reception and food after the burial.