Van Mayes

Dr. Van Eric Mayes passed away peacefully on January 7, 2021 in

Houston, Texas. Eric was born in Odessa, Texas on September 8,

1971. He was the youngest of three children born to John Mayes

and Janice Carroll. He is preceded in death by his parents and

brother Timothy Mayes.

Eric developed a deep interest in science at an early age and had

demonstrated natural talent for music by teaching himself how to

play piano and guitar at an early age. He loved the Beatles, Star

Trek, Star Wars, science fiction, the Dallas Cowboys, and

vacationing in the Big Bend area of West Texas.

Eric graduated from Big Spring High School in 1989 where he discovered his natural talents and

passion for mathematics and science. Following graduation from high school, Eric attended

Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in Physics. In 2007,

Eric completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from Texas A&M and subsequently completed

postdoctoral fellowships at Texas A&M and Arizona State University.

Dr. Mayes joined the faculty at the University of Houston – Clear Lake in 2014, and had recently

been awarded tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. He published numerous scientific

papers in highly rated peer-reviewed professional journals and was well-liked and highly

regarded by colleagues and students alike. Dr. Mayes will be remembered in the physics

community for his research contributions in string theory and particle physics. He always made

time to help students and guided many of them in research projects and theses. Dr. Mayes’

legacy will live on through the academic and professional contributions of his students.

Eric is survived by his beloved cat Peggy, older brother Matthew Mayes, cousins Grace Carroll,

Beth Edgar, Johnny Baker, Jr and Shawn Maddox. Dr. Van Eric Mayes will be sorely missed -

may he rest in peace.

Cremation services and a Tribute Page will be provided by Integrity Funeral Care.