Charles Mayes

Charles R. Mayes, 89, passed away December 19, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born on February 8, 1922 in Warrensburg, Missouri, to Chloe R. (Miller) Mayes and William R. Mayes. He had a sister, Mary Kathryn Mayes Adams, who predeceased him.

Charles was educated at the University of Central Missouri, where he received his teaching degree. He taught at Wentworth Military Academy until he was drafted into the Army/Air Corp, (later to become Air Force) where he eventually became a navigator. When in World War II, he parachuted from his plane and landed safely into the care of friendly Italians living on a farm in Northern Italy.

Upon his return, he received his Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland. He studied abroad at the University of Sorbonne in Paris, and received a Fulbright Scholarship and attended Cambridge in England.

After his return, he taught at the University of Ohio and then Monmouth University in New Jersey. He received his PHD in English and European History at the University of Minnesota. He moved to Colorado Springs in the mid eighties.

Charles traveled the world and took students on tour of Europe during summer breaks. Though he never married, he unselfishly became a “father” to several exchange students over the years. As these young people came from all over the globe, Charles patiently taught them to speak English and familiarize them to the American way of life.

Charles is survived by a nephew, Richard W. Adams, cousins Maxine Elliott, Linda Fast, Mary Jim Shockley, Bob Prince, Jack Colbern, Bill Sharp, JoAnn Brown, Dora Schmidt, among other relatives and close friends. He will be sorely missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.