John Kenneth Mayfield

SMGT John Kenneth Mayfield passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after 4+ yearlong battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Michelle, his daughter Jessica, his son Kenneth, his parents Ken and Sophie Mayfield, his brothers Louis R “Bud” Mayfield and Louis A “Tony” Mayfield, his sisters Kathleen Archer and Theresa Turdici, his nieces and nephews, and his extended family and friends.

John was born on Oct 17, 1962, to Ken and Sophie Mayfield at Westover Air Force Base, Chicopee, MA.  He grew up in the military family and traveled to many places during his childhood.  John joined the Air Force in 1987 as a Radar Technician then cross trained to a Surgical Technician.  He was also part of the Air Force Special Operations Surgical Team from 2002-2012.  John retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service. 

John had a tremendous love for his family.  In his wife and kids, he found his greatest happiness. He was the son that every parent aspires to raise; making his parents proud in his every endeavor.  John epitomized the notion of a big brother, constantly looking out for the needs of his younger brothers and sisters throughout his entire life.  

At a young age John dedicated his life in service of others, especially those in moments of great peril. His younger years was spent volunteering with the Santa Barbra (CA) County Sheriff Search and Rescue team. He also served two seasons as Woodland Firefighter for the California Department of Forestry.   Upon joining the Air Force, he worked in the Sacramento (CA) area as both a SCUBA diver with the Drowning Accident Rescue Team and ground team member with the Civil AIR Patrol. However, John would define his true legacy in service to his fellow man with the Air Force Special Operations Surgical Team; of which he was one of the original volunteers. For ten years John would spend countless deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous other combat and humanitarian missions around the globe. As a member of SOST John played a pivotal role in an organization that would save countless thousands of lives of both brother and sister service members as well as indigenous people caught up in combat zones.  John loved being outdoors and would spend as much time as he could volunteering for the Boy Scouts.  Upon retiring from the Air Force John continued to be involved with Civil Air Patrol, serving for over 30 years, as well as maintaining active involvement with The Boy Scouts in which he included his son & daughter. John continued his service with Scouts and Civil Air Patrol until the end.

There will be a visitation-viewing Tuesday, August 31, 2021, from 5-7pm at Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview, FL.  There will be a Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview FL. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 11am.  Due to COVID restrictions, Burial with Military Honors, will be private with family & close friends at 2pm on September 1, 2021, at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.  

In Lieu of flowers, John would appreciate donations be made to the Boy Scouts Council in Pensacola and/or Boy Scouts Troop 30 in Crestview, Fl.

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