Tyler Ross Mayo

Tyler Ross Mayo, 44, of Johns Island, SC, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Born on June 28, 1979, in Clovis, NM, he was a son of Pamela Baker Mayo and Joe Robert Mayo.

Tyler and his brother Matthew were born in Cannon Air Force Base Hospital in Clovis, New Mexico, while his father was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  His family returned to their native Tennessee after the enlistment, later to move to Chattanooga, TN, then to Athens, TN.  He completed school in Athens, TN and began his long training to eventually become a FAA rated Captain in an ATR-600-72 Turboprop aircraft.  Tyler was a member of the Alaska Airmen Association where he flew various aircraft and amphibious aircraft for several companies doing what he loved best – flying in the backcountry, hauling people and supplies in and out of the rough country.  Tyler worked in a multitude of locations, China, Africa, Middle East, Central America travelling to 48 different countries over his career, even piloting aircraft on Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Mediterranean Sea and Africa continent transits accumulating over 8000 lifetime hours as Pilot in Command.  His latest work carried him into Central America flying the ATR-600.  Two more countries added to his list.  Tyler trained and achieved his pilot licenses in Florida at a school specializing in Pilot training from Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single-Engine, Commercial Multi-Engine, Airline Transport Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor- Instrument License and Multi-Engine Instructor.  Tyler always wanted to come back to Alaska and fly in the bush country.  He bought a 1947 Luscombe “tail-dragger” once and about a year later, a tornado at the airport where it was parked wrecked it.

Well, Tyler finally found someone to commit to – his future wife whom he loved more than flying - maybe.  He married and “somewhat” settled down.  Moving one more time to South Carolina and settling in – with an occasional trip back to Alaska where he worked in Anchorage and Juneau hauling people, groceries and animals for the locals.  He loved it and he loved his wife.  Goodbye, Tyler; we will see you again and we will hug and spend eternity with you.

Tyler is survived by his wife, Wendy Geuss Mayo; parents, Joe and Pamela Mayo; brother, Matthew Mayo; nephew, Michael Mayo and niece, Elizabeth Mayo.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.stjude.org and to Smile Train. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.