DENVER, N.C. — Doug Mayes was a broadcast original, but that was hardly his only accomplishment.
He was a well-respected country musician, a longtime member of the Shriners. But most of all, he was a friend to many.
On Wednesday in his hometown of Denver, many of those friends came to pay tribute to Mayes after his death this week at age 93.
"Doug lived by the book and what you saw was what you got," said longtime friend Ty Boyd, quoting a friend's description of Mayes.
Mayes started as a news anchor in 1952 on a 15-minute news program sponsored by ESSO. He soon became a household name throughout the Charlotte area. Mayes earned nearly four decades of credibility and trust while anchoring the news desks at WBTV and WSOC during the 1950's through the 1980's.
In his eulogy at Denver United Methodist Church, Boyd described Mayes as a master newsman, a master musician and a master friend.
Mike Andrews, who spent 30 years working with Mayes in conjunction with their work with the Shriners, called Mayes a kind and generous man who was a living legend in the Charlotte area.
"Everybody knew Doug. Some people you remember. Some people you never forget. Doug was a person you never forgot," Andrews said.
WSOC
