The morning of Friday, October 16, Richard Creighton Mays (Rich, as he was commonly known) was taken into the loving arms of Jesus. He was born to Marvin and Ethel May Mays on August 16, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri. At the age of 6, his family relocated to San Gabriel, California, where Richard would grow up. Rich met Nancy on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1960, at the house of a mutual friend. They married on August 28, 1960, in Pasadena, California, and had been side by side for 66 years. Richard was a pioneer in the Aerospace industry, helping us get a closer look at the moon as a draftsman on the Apollo project. Then he helped strengthen our country's defense with his work on the Minuteman Missile. He and a close group of coworkers formed a camera club where he was very active as a photographer. He later made a living in photography before moving on to his passion – the sea. He was a prolific fisherman all his life, from the shore, pier, or boat. He had a natural talent for fixing things. He used that talent to develop a career and became known in Newport Beach as the "Yacht Mechanic". As a boat charter Captain, he gave many the enjoyment of being on the ocean; for some, he provided the ultimate comfort of seeing loved ones put to rest at sea. In 1989 Richard and Nancy moved to Florida where they became active members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Rich received the honor of serving as the Exalted Ruler an astounding 4 times. While in Florida, Rich continued his interest in computers and the internet. He even created his own website in 1997. He used this website to reunite his San Gabriel High School class of 1957 and find as many alumni as possible, whether alive or otherwise accounted for. In 2012, Richard and Nancy went back to California to care for his 93-year-old mother until her passing at 101 and 15 days of age. While in California, they joined the Hemet Elks lodge. He enjoyed singing Karaoke and became the lodge's Karaoke Jockey and was bestowed the title "Rich at the Switch". Richard was diagnosed with Dementia in 2022. His dementia declined to the point that it was not safe for him to remain in his home with Nancy. He went into long-term care in January 2026. He became known as "Rich at the Switch" at Parker Post Acute, which he enjoyed very much. He was a much-loved resident there and was very lovingly cared for. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Marvin, and his mother, Ethel May. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nancy; their two daughters, Susan Mays and Tracy Skinner; and his brothers, Thomas and Robert. He was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 14th at 11 am at Crossroads Community Church, 9900 S Twenty Mile Road, Parker, CO 80134 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Youth for Christ or to the Elks National Foundation. Instructions for donation are as follows: Youth for Christ https://secure.qgiv.com/for/denverareayouthforchrist Click on the link. Select the tab “One Time”. Select where you would like the donation allocated. Select Dedicate this gift and enter Richard Mays. Elks National Foundation Elks.org Select the tribute option to dedicate the gift in memory of Richard Mays, and specify Hemet Lodge #1740 so the donation is correctly credited to his home lodge.