John Mayer

John was born in Philadelphia on January 5, 1919, one of twelve children born to Geza and Pauline Mayer, who emigrated to America from Hungary. Prior to WWII, John enlisted in the National Guard, but he was activated into the Army when war broke out. He taught artillery in the United States Army Training Group. Commissioned as a 1st Lt., John served in the Armed Forces Western Pacific. His role in the Philippines was searching for Japanese soldiers still in the hills at the end of the war.

John met his future wife while he was stationed at Fort Ord in Northern California. Lou (Luella) worked as a civilian employee at the base, and they went on a fateful New Year's Eve blind date. John fell head over heels for the beautiful blonde farm girl from Colorado. They married on May 19, 1945, and remained sweethearts for 54 years, settling in Southern California after the war. John was in the insurance adjusting business his entire career, eventually forming his own company, J. R. Mayer Insurance Adjusters. He was active in the Blue Goose Association, and he served as an elder at Arcadia Presbyterian Church in Arcadia, California, where they raised their only child Christine. The three resided in Arcadia until 1967 when they moved to Orange County. Besides church activities, John enjoyed trips with his family, including many vacations in Palm Springs and Big Bear Lake. John knew how to work hard enough to provide for his family, but he also knew how to balance his life with a lot of fun time shared with his wife, daughter, and friends. He played occasional golf, mainly with Terry, up until two years ago. John exercised religiously throughout his life, and his physical fitness allowed him to golf until two years ago. A frugal man, he loved to take advantage of the free golf deal for people 90 years or older at Davidson County golf courses!

John and Lou moved to Illinois in 1986 to be closer to Chris and her family. After Lou suffered a stroke and passed away in 1999, John moved to Wisconsin, again to be closer to Chris and Terry, who had retired there. He later followed them to Tennessee in 2008. John resided at The Blakeford at Green Hills, where he continued to enjoy playing bridge until he suffered a stroke in 2013. For the past year he was a resident at Belvedere Commons in Franklin, a memory care assisted living home. Everywhere he lived, John was known for his honesty, humility, friendliness, and gentlemanly manners. In the hospital during his last week on earth, struggling with pneumonia, he always managed to thank every nurse, aide, and doctor who cared for him, even when they woke him for vitals checks or blood draws during the night.

John is also survived by three lovely granddaughters. Joy, Amy, and Laura all describe their grandparents John and Lou as the best possible grandparents, just as Chris describes them as the best parents a child could ever want. John loved and enjoyed his great- grandsons Connor and Grant and his great-granddaughter Ella. He will be dearly missed by all in his family, but they are comforted knowing that he now rests and celebrates in his Heavenly home with his beloved wife, his parents and siblings.

Service Information

Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 10:00am, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church

Interment Details

Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery