Leland Franklin Mayo

March 29, 1931 – July 10, 2025

"Life is a Journey, not a Destination". Leland Franklin Mayo began his earthly journey March 29, 1931, in Temple, Texas. His parents, Lafayette and Ethel Mayo, and siblings Albert and Margret welcomed into the world to begin his amazing journey through life.

The family moved to Gladewater, Texas shortly after Leland's birth to pursue opportunities in the oilfields of East Texas. Leland's life in Gladewater was focused on Faith, Family, Education, and Sports; all of which he excelled at, but his feet were never far from the doors of God's House.

In high school Leland excelled in academics and sports. As a member of the National Honor Society and a letterman in football, basketball, and track his next journey held countless opportunities. As a senior at Gladewater High School, Leland was heavily recruited by several universities. He selected Southern Methodist University and received a full scholarship in football where he had a notable career as a SMU Mustang. While at SMU, Leland had teammates which played in the first Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and also became friends with Lamar Hunt the deceased owner of the Kansa City Chiefs.

At SMU, Leland was asked to fill in on blind date where he met his wife of 71 years, Jean Colette Clifton which attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. As Leland finished his education at SMU where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, he had joined the Airforce ROTC while at SMU which began the next journey of his life. Soon after graduation, Leland and Colette would begin an incredible journey with a foundation in faith as a guide for them to build their family.

After graduation from SMU, Leland entered the Airforce and moved to San Antonio to begin flight training. While in San Antonio, Leland and Colette welcomed their first child, Nancy Lynn, into the world. After Leland's flight training, he was transferred to Harlingen, Texas as a trainer for pilots and navigators. In Harlingen, Leland and Colette were blessed with their second child, Carol Ann. Leland's time in the Airforce is something he was very proud of, but he was most proud of his family always finding a place to worship, fellowship with others, and sharing their faith.

After being discharged from the Airforce, Leland's journey took him and his family Houma, Louisiana to work in the oilfield for Otis Engineering, which began a very successful and notable career. One stop on this journey was Perryton, Texas where Leland and Colette had their third child, Stephen Lewis. Shortly thereafter, Leland and his family settled in Oklahoma City, where they would spend the remainder of their life, but the journey didn't end.

In 1977, Leland and an Oklahoma oilfield legend Bobby Joe Cudd along with two investors started their own company named Pressure Control Incorporated. Today the company is known as Cudd Energy Services and is valued at over $1.1 billion dollars. As significant as this achievement was for Leland and others, Leland's true legacy and success was just not football, flying airplanes, creating the foundation for a company which will celebrate 50 years in business in 2027, it was unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and a yearning to share the gospel with others.

Leland and Colette continued their journey of faith and family with the purchase of a home in Colorado in the 1980's. Soon after they purchased the home, they quickly found a body of Christ to worship and fellowship with. Their love of the mountains and the majesty of creation has captured the heart and soul of their family.

Leland's faith in Christ was the cornerstone of his life's journey. From Gladewater to Oklahoma City, his faith and conviction was evident to everyone he dealt with. Whether teaching Sunday School to a men's group at Capitol Hill Baptist, sharing Christ to inmates at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, or passing out Gideon bibles on college campuses or foreign countries; sharing his faith and desire for others to know the joy and peace of salvation in Christ.

Leland "walked the walk" with Colette, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He exemplified Christ in business, on the football field, and in an airplane. But more importantly, he portrayed God's love to his family, complete strangers, inmates and convicts, and college students with unwavering devotion to the Gospel of Christ and the promise it brings.

Leland completed his earthly journey on July 10, 2025, to begin his Heavenly journey. He is now joining with his parents Lafayette Mayo and wife Ethel Mayo, brother Albert Mayo and wife Rosalie Mayo, sister Margret (Mayo) Howard and husband Marvin Howard, Jean Colette Mayo, and infant son John Thomas Mayo.

To continue their earthly journey, Leland leaves behind, daughter Nancy Lynn Carr and husband Steve Carr, daughter Carol Ann Hammontree and husband Steve Hammontree, and son Steve Lewis Mayo and wife Cris Mayo. 6 grandchildren and their spouses, and numerous great grandchildren. The grandchildren and their families are:

Nathan and Sarah Carr, and children Areta Clark and husband Jackson, Honor, Esther, Olive, Ezra, and Ian

David and Amanda Carr, and children Ethum, Avre, Coen, Poppy, Bjorn

Joseph and Michelle Carr, and children Lydia, Jonathan, Isaiah, and Silas

Jacob and Dawnielle Carr, and children Remi, Hazel, Pepper

James and Bekah Hammontree and son Woods

Allison (Mayo) and husband Matt Williamson, and children Jane, Lewis, and Heath

In addition to immediate family, Leland had numerous extended family members and countless lifetime friends which are in celebration of a precious and gracious life.

A viewing and visitation will be held at Vondel Smith & Sons Mortuary, 6934 S. Western Ave, OKC from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday July 17th with family members there to share the joy and memories of Leland's life.

A service to celebrate Leland's life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday July 18th at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, 304 S.W. 134th Street, OKC.

A family graveside service will be held at 11:30 am on July 18th at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 500 S.W. 104th, OKC. Following the graveside service, the Mayo family will be hosting a luncheon at Resthaven for family and friends.