James Leo Mayer
May 29, 1953 - July 13, 2009
James Leo Mayer, 56, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died at his residence July 13, 2009. He was 56.
He was born in Detroit on May 29, 1953.
Jim, an entrepreneur and educator, moved to Hawaii in 2006, settling in Kailua-Kona.
Jim had an abiding commitment to public safety, working as a police officer in La Junta and later as a firefighter in Ithaca, N.Y. He was a man of many interests and talents. As a younger man, he enjoyed backpacking, scuba diving and card games. Much later, he enjoyed recumbent bicycles, motorcycles and scooters. He researched all his pursuits deeply and thoroughly. Reading material of all kinds held his interest - science fiction, comics, Westerns, technical manuals on building bikes, consumer reports and others. He was devoted to his family and took special delight in his Arizona grandchildren.
Jim enjoyed a day that included a good read, a well-made meal, a good laugh, country western tunes and a fine cigar.
He is survived by his sons, Michael Mayer, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Andy (Jennifer) Mayer, of Phoenix; parents James and Elizabeth Mayer, of Kailua-Kona; brothers John (Deborah) Mayer, of Portsmouth, N.H., Frank (Kim) Mayer, of Clark, and Bill (Laurie) Mayer, of Washington, D.C; sister, Helen Mayer (Chris Fahrenbach), of Aptos, Calif.; three grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to any public safety organization in the area.
