Louis Harkey Mayo Jr.

Louis Harkey Mayo Jr., 72, died at home on August 13, 2020 after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year. He was surrounded by his wife, children, and his brothers. Harkey was born in Massachusetts to Mary Leah Fitzpatrick Mayo and Louis Harkey Mayo, but he spent the majority of his life in Northern Virginia. He went to High school in Falls Church where he played football and trumpet. He graduated in 1971 from Princeton University with a degree in Economics and from George Washington Law School in 1976. After gaining other experience in transportation he went to work for OAO corporation where he met his wife Karen Denomme. They were married in Columbia Maryland on October 25, 1980. Harkey spent most of his professional career with the Federal Aviation Administration, but was most proud of his time as Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board where he retired in 2012. He valued public service and considered this in his work. Harkey’s main vocation was as a father and husband. Slow to anger and quick to forgive, he was involved in their hobbies and daily activities as a baseball coach, basketball fan, driver, and special assistant to Santa Claus. In his retirement he found great joy in conversations with his brothers about current events. Harkey is survived by his wife Karen Ann Mayo, his two brothers, Richard Walter Mayo and David Ferrell Mayo, his two children David Patrick Mayo and Rebecca Mayo Ralston, and his grandchildren, John Harkey Ralston, and Henry Porter Ralston. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Mayo Jr. family.