Arlo Mayes, Jr.

Stevensville - Arlo Mayes, Jr. passed away in Stevensville, MT, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the age of 87. He grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina, spending much of his time in the woods or on the river throughout his childhood.

In 1960, Arlo joined the Army. He was stationed in South Carolina, Alabama, Korea, Virgina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Germany, Vietnam and North Carolina. He worked as an aircraft mechanic, then a telecommunication specialist and finished as a game warden during his nine-year service with the Army. With his training in electronics and telecommunications, he became a switchman for General Telephone (now Verizon), where he worked until his retirement.

In 1962, Arlo married his childhood friend and sweetheart, Betty. Together they raised two children in Hillsborough. In 2006, not long after retirement, they moved to Montana to be close to their grandchildren.

Arlo loved to be outside gardening, birdwatching, fishing, hunting, rockhounding, and exploring. He volunteered at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge to share his passion and knowledge of nature. He was also very inventive, creating such things as rock polishers, hand tools and a plethora of other objects out of discarded machinery and scrap metal.

Arlo is preceded in death by his parents, Arlo Mayes, Sr. and Alma Wilson Porterfield; his brothers, Chester Mayes and Dwight Porterfield; and sister, Florence Mayes Conklin. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Mayes; his two children, Kiana Fecteau (John) and Alen Mayes; his grandsons, Keegan Fite, Colin Fite (Lindsey) and Joseph Fecteau; his great-grandson, Colton Fite; and his brother, J.C. Porterfield.

The family wants to give a big thank you to Bitterroot Health Hospice for their concern and care during Arlo’s final days. He will be interred at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, MT. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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