Father and Son Legacy : Ben Mayo
The core of the Mayo family business in Texarkana has always been fathers and sons. In 1965, Linn “Pappaw” and “Mammaw” Mayo started the family business in an old warehouse building, and his sons, Mike and Gary, would work after school. Years later, they joined their dad full-time and helped expand the business and embrace new technology. Over 50 years later, Mike and his sons, Stephen, Ben, and Patrick, own and manage the company.
Ben, the CIO for Production, Planning, and Purchasing of Mayo Furniture, has started a family legacy with his wife, Stacy, whom he met at Texas High School. Though the two were in different social groups—Ben with the swimmers and Stacy with the cheerleaders—they knew each other’s names. After Ben graduated in 1996, he went away to college at Southern Methodist University, and after graduation in 2000, he and Stacy went out for a few weeks. “But, she had more living outside of Texarkana to do…namely winning Miss Texas in 2001,” Ben says. “We reconnected in the summer of 2004 and married in 2005.” Together, the two are proud parents of David Mayo and Alexis Mayo. Stacy proudly holds the official title of wife and mother, one she deeply cherishes. She also works with the Miss Texarkana Organization and produces and coordinates various events when requested. Recently, Ben and Stacy’s daughter, Alexis, won the title of International Cinderella Miss 2024, which equates to much traveling across the country as Alexis’ traveling companion.
After Ben and Stacy were married, Ben continued working in the family business, and the couple began to talk about their own family and what that would mean for their lives. “I always knew that having kids meant my dreams would take a back seat to their dreams—not that they were over, but just on hold for a while,” Ben says. “And, honestly, I was happy about that.” The two welcomed their first child, a son named David, on February 21, 2008. Ben says, “I think we had thirty family and friends at the hospital. I remember walking out and giving the progress as often as possible until I went out to say he was born. I remember getting quite emotional and barely getting out the dry statistics of 21 3/8″, six pounds, nine ounces.” Ben and Stacy decided to name their son David, a decision the pair made using the Bible and a very special family member. “I closed my eyes while Stacy opened the Bible and peeled away pages till I said, ‘Stop.’ The page was opened to 2 Samuel 5: David Becomes King Over Israel. I think the name David was on the page a dozen times. We never questioned it.” Ben says. “David is also an important name for our son because it comes from a very special person to Stacy and me: my father-in-law, David James. He is the best father-in-law a man could ask for.”
Becoming a father for the first time left Ben with many questions, such as: Is David breathing? Am I holding him right? Did he get enough to eat? Is the car seat tight enough? Is the car seat too tight? Why does he never sleep? With all new parents, these questions are definitely warranted and expected. “All the cliches are true…you are never ready, there is no training, and you will miss sleep! I remember driving home from St. Michael’s that first day with a family, my family, in the car. All of a sudden, I noticed every little detail on the road. I know it sounds corny, but even the colors were different. Of course, that could have been because it was my first of many, many sleepless nights. But, all of a sudden, I became a protector. That was new!” Ben says.
Ben would now begin his father-son relationship with David, which was well modeled for him by his paternal successors. Ben and his father, Mike, share many of the same qualities. They have spent much time together fishing, hunting, working the family business, and now golfing with Ben’s son, David. Ben was also close to his grandfathers, both lovingly referred to as “Pappaw.” “When dad was working, I could always count on Pappaw to take us fishing or hunting. I was very fortunate to have strong, godly father figures in my life, and I still do. Trust me when I say that dads also need dads!” Ben says.
Using the excellent examples left by his paternal successors, Ben and David have created many memories while enjoying the same things together. “I never knew I liked golf, but I love to be on a golf course with David. Just don’t hand me a club. We both like to travel, see sights, and eat at different places. We love adventure! That’s a pretty good recipe for a good time had by father and son. I know because it has really worked out that way with my dad,” Ben says. While most claim that David is Ben’s “mini-me,” Ben believes David resembles his mother, Stacy, more. Ben also believes David is the most intelligent and genuine person he knows. “I believe David could be a musician, a talented engineer, or even a world traveler. However, I don’t think I want to put any kind of limitation or direction of my design on him. He might have some plans forming, but my goal is to stay out of his way and do no harm,” Ben says.
Instead, Ben looks forward to passing on some equally great advice to David that he received from his grandfathers. “Pappaw Thomas stressed that we should treat each other with love and respect first and foremost. We have a big, diverse family and love to spend time together. Pappaw Mayo always had a speech at the ready about being the captain of one’s own ship. Make sure you are in control of where you are going, and to do that, you need to know where you want to go! Sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t understand that,” Ben says. Ben would also advise David to find that one thing you love and not stop doing it. There is no such thing as failure when you continue to keep trying.
Three years after David was born, Alexis made her entrance into the Mayo family on May 31, 2011. “The differences between the first and second child are so much more than night and day! I’m unsure if it was confidence or I was already too tired. You’re still not ready, but you at least know a little bit about the train coming toward you down the track,” Ben says. Although the couple was eager to meet their daughter, they were stumped on what to name her. It was not until the couple were in the parking lot of CHRISTUS St. Michael’s Hospital that Ben declared her name should be Alexis. “I wanted to name her Alexis but call her Alex. She is not named after anybody; it is just a name I liked,” Ben says.
Ben enjoys being a father to both his children, David and Alexis. “I don’t know how two people with the same parents could be so much like us, yet so much different than each other. David is cerebral, talented at most things, and thoughtful while Alex is equally talented but at different skills, loving, and imaginative,” Ben says. As he reflects on what he enjoys most about being a father, he quickly realizes he loves the opportunity to be a provider and encourager. “My biggest job is to make sure they have every tool necessary to not only succeed but thrive. I love music, although I don’t play an instrument or sing. Our children have shown interest and talent in music, so I try to provide whatever they need, whether an instrument, a lesson, or simply attending their practice. I can’t teach them, but I can encourage them and give them undivided attention,” Ben says.
Stacy adds that Ben is a “five-star husband and father.” She reflects on Ben’s unselfish nature and how he continually chooses the kids and her above his desires. “He loves to surprise us with trips and have fun! He provides for us daily and creates a safe and loving space. I am so proud of the work he does at Mayo Manufacturing, his involvement in our community, and the kindness he has in his heart for all he meets,” Stacy says.
Ben desires that his children always know that they are his greatest contributions; however, they do not need to concern themselves with perfection, as he says, “I don’t expect that in them any more than I think I am capable of it. Their happiness, willingness to work hard at something they love, and not being afraid to fail is all I ask.” As far as parenting advice goes, he desires for all parents to know that there are times in life when you will have to let go and realize that God has it. “It’s scary when they are born, when they take that first step, when they spend the night out, when they drive a car alone, and all the other ‘firsts.’ Do your best in teaching, then trust the Lord has them,” Ben says. “You can only have that trust if you did your first job, instilling that faith in them too. I’m not saying if you have your kids at church they won’t get in a car wreck or some kind of trouble. But whatever it is, you can get through it with faith. I’ll be the first to admit that I have focused too much on unimportant things. It has always been in my heart, but life gets busy, and you try to squeeze that eighth day in the week. It has actually been my kids to bring me back to where I should be on Sunday morning.