Robert Mayo

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Robert "Bob" Mayo, 80, of Advance peacefully went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 2016, at Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Bob was born to Clinton and Georgia Mayo of Aquilla, Missouri, on Oct. 10, 1935.

He was a 1955 graduate of Bloomfield High School and spent over 30 years working for Union Pacific Railroad and its predecessors in Scott City as a locomotive engineer.

Bob's life was filled with achievements, but he would be the first to say that his family was the pinnacle achievement of his life.

It all began Jan. 12, 1955, in Panola County, Mississippi, where he and his soon-to-be wife, Jo Ann, sneaked off to be married, as they were too young to do so under Missouri law.

Upon their return, they would go on to have 54 more anniversaries before Jo Ann's passing in 2009.

Since 1955, the lengths he went to care for his family are unmeasurable and unforgettable. His impressions have left a permanent footprint on each of their lives, for which they are forever grateful.

Bob's second-greatest achievements were the friends he made over his lifetime. To say he was a mere socialite would not do him justice, as he was much more than that. His day could not begin before meeting his friends at the Advance Town and Country for a fresh cup of coffee and a thorough update on local current events.

Many people say that the greatest gift you can give someone is time. Bob must have been listening to those words ring out in his mind during his life, because up until his last breath, he gave all the time he had to others, never expecting anything in return.

His favorite thing to do was watch his family's high-school sporting events, especially Advance high-school basketball.

Rest in peace, Grandpa; you will be in our hearts here on Earth until we meet again.

Bob is survived by his younger sister, Linda York, of Campbell, Missouri; two daughters, Debbe Mayo of Advance and Terri West of Buffalo, Missouri; three grandsons, Travis Westbrook of Bloomfield, Missouri, Brandon Cooper of Cape Girardeau and Ryan West of Buffalo; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife referenced above, as well as his two older sisters, Wanda Bivens of St. Louis and Ruth West of Cape Girardeau, and his two younger brothers, Harold Mayo of Jonesboro, Illinois, and Larry Mayo of Advance.

To gather and honor Bob's life, please join us for a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those contributions be directed to the Stoddard County Children's Home, which can be done at stoddardcountychildrenshome.com.