Ralph Claybourne Mays was born on Monday, February 23, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, to Isiah "Bob" Mays and Esther Shawboose Mays. He was a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. He was also a proud Pisces, the sign of the fish, adorably self-entitled, Ralph "Tuna" Mays. The fifth of nine siblings, Ralph was the younger of two brothers in a family that also included seven sisters. Relative to his age, he was often the only boy among the girls surrounding him growing up. He could be your best play pal, fun and imaginative, but when things went south, he could also be the big bad wolf.
Ralph was educated K-12 in Detroit Public Schools, culminating in graduation from Cooley High. He went on to attend Ferris State University for some time in Big Rapids, Michigan. Ralph came from a musical household where his Mom and Dad sang constantly around the house, everything from lullabies to jazz, and the family kept a huge library of records. There were always instruments to be found in the Mays' household. As an adult, Ralph's homes were always equipped with a microphone, instruments, and an amplifier. Ralph grew up to become a bass guitarist who started his own band, the "Ghetto's Children", who often practiced in the basement of the family home. He went professional for a time, being hired as a studio sessionist for some notable Detroit jazz and Motown greats such as Eddie Kendricks, the Miracles, Enchantment, and New Birth, to name a few.
Ever the dreamer, always the romantic, he would set aside his musical career and settle down with his high school sweetheart, Janice Watkins. They would marry and be blessed with a son, and twin girls in time. Ralph assumed his role as family man and father diligently. As a breadwinner, Ralph's professional career was widely diverse. He worked in the early years in construction. Later, he would go on to work in security at Detroit Public Schools' Public Safety/DPD, ever providing for his family in one field or another.
Together, he and Janice would raise their children in homes in both Detroit and Lansing. Homes that overflowed with love, music, laughter, and Detroit Lions football. You never had to "interrupt this marriage to bring you the football season," as the saying goes, because Janice was as devout a fan as he. The shared laughter, bravado, trials, and sweet victories of Ralph's beloved Detroit Lions will always be a huge part of his personal legacy to remember.
With his family rooted in Detroit's Native community, he would later follow his sisters, Judith and Linda, in the tradition of family leadership in Indian education. After the sad closure of the Academy, Ralph continued to serve the Native community as program director, alongside his co-worker, affectionately known as "Wanda D". In this role, he immersed himself in everything from running the program to sewing intricate dance outfits for Native students aspiring to dance.
As Ralph entered the fall and winter of his spirited life, he would experience marriage, enjoy his grandchildren, Celeste and Cheyenne, and try to partake of whatever new vibrance that caught his eye. In spite of developing health challenges, he was always busy with a new hobby or interest. He wasn't the type to let life pass him by; he stayed in the swim. He was very much a part of the evolving technology around him. While many seniors his age might struggle to operate their cell phones, he maintained a social media presence on Facebook. He also developed his own YouTube channel where he would record jam sessions, his own productions, and musical/photo tribute videos to honor family members who preceded him in paradise. As a senior, he took on learning to play harmonica as well as flugelhorn.
As his earthly chapter would begin its physical sunset, he was hospitalized. Through the ups and downs of his health journey, he was blessed to have his only son, a constant vigil at his bedside. Ralph fought the good fight for many weeks at his sunset and, with his beloved son Robert Isiah, holding his hand all the way, walked into paradise.
Ralph will always be remembered with a sea of love. We will miss his heartwarming
laughter, wisdom, humor beyond humor, and most of all, he will forever be in our
hearts and the heartbeat of his beloved bass guitar.