Obituaries

James O. MayoRear Admiral, Publishing Executive

Jim Mayo, 87, a Navy rear admiral and publishing executive who was a foreign relations and economic policy specialist, died Aug. 18 at his Arlington County home. He had Parkinson's disease.

Adm. Mayo's 33-year military career included assignments in the air, on ships and overseas and as chief of staff of the 65,000-member Naval Air Force Atlantic. After retiring in 1975, he spent 20 years with Kiplinger Washington Editors Inc., combining his economics background and military experience to write and speak on national security and economic policy.

Adm. Mayo was born in Philadelphia, Miss., and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1941 with a degree in economics. He quickly began his naval career flying torpedo planes in the Pacific during World War II.

Adm. Mayo worked for the Department of State and served as defense attaché to Moscow. He commanded a squadron, a wing, a fleet oiler and an aircraft carrier. He flew fighters, torpedo planes, and reconnaissance and transport aircraft.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the State Department's Meritorious Service Award.

He received a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University in 1961.

After retiring from the Navy, he spent two years with a Washington area think tank before joining wartime friend Austin Kiplinger at Kiplinger Washington Editors in 1977, first as military and foreign affairs editor. He became executive vice president and vice chairman of the board of directors.

He also served on the senior executive advisory board of the College of Business and Industry at Mississippi State University.

Adm. Mayo treasured his network of friends and in later years took pleasure in organizing get-togethers, including squadron reunions and meals with friends. He started the Romeo Club (Real Old Men Eating Out) in his Evermay neighborhood in McLean. He had recently moved from McLean, where he had lived since 1975, to Arlington County.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, June Gilbert Mayo of Arlington; a daughter, Tracy Mayo of McLean; a brother; a sister; and a grandson.

-- Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb