Thermon Eugene Mayo

Thermon Eugene "T.E."/ “Gene” Mayo April 2, 1947 – August 31, 2026

Thermon Eugene Mayo — "T.E." to some, "Gene" to most — died August 31, 2026, in Spencer, Oklahoma, at the age of 79. He was the first born to T.E. and Patricia Mayo, April 2, 1947, in Tempe, Arizona. Gene served his country twice over, first in the United States Navy and then in the United States Army. He built his working life on his voice, always with a microphone in his hand, calling cars on the auto auction circuit and estate auctions.

But it was the dance floor that made him famous. A renowned country-western dancer, T. E. emceed national dance competitions and taught lessons for decades to countless numbers of students: beginners with two left feet, competitors chasing titles, and every kind of dancer in between. He had a way of making a room feel like a party and a stranger feel like an old friend. His life was a celebration, and he was always the life of the party.

He was preceded in death by his parents, T.E. and Patricia Mayo; his brother, Lindell Mayo; and his sister, Deborah Mayo. He is survived by his children, Casey Shillam and Shane Mayo; his grandchildren, Gray Shillam and Scarlett Ray; his sister, Diane Mushegan; his brother, Ron Mayo; and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, 9010 S. Fairview Dr., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person at pbokc.org. He will be laid to rest with full military honors on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Sill National Cemetery, 2648 NE Jake Dunn Rd., Elgin, Oklahoma.