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Jonathan Clyde Mayhew, aged 76, passed away at home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer on Monday May 20, 2024. Jonathan was born in Albuquerque, NM on December 4, 1947, to his parents, Clyde and Barbara Mayhew, née Gallup. Jonathan was a long-time resident of McLean, VA.
Jonathan graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Army and attended Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and then was stationed at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD. From there, he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, where he met his wife, Barbara. Jonathan and Barbara married on June 15, 1974, in Nashwauk, MN. Jonathan and Barbara started their married life in Los Angeles, CA, where Jonathan was stationed at Fort MacArthur. Later, they moved to Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
In 1976 Jonathan left the army and joined the Foreign Service. During his time at the State Department, Jonathan was posted to Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia (1977-1979), where he did consular work. In Bangkok Thailand (1986-1988), Jonathan worked with refugees. In Moscow Russia (1994-1996), Jonathan served as a political officer. Jonathan also served in the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai (1985-1986). While state-side, Jonathan served on the Eastern European desk and spent the latter portion of his career working for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
After retiring from the State Department in 2005, Jonathan worked for the University of California system in conjunction with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and later the U.S. Department of Energy. After his second retirement in 2015, Jonathan became an avid bird watcher.
Jonathan was predeceased by his parents and brother Robert W. Mayhew. Jonathan is survived by his wife Barbara K. Mayhew, née Kuntz, his four children Jennifer (George), David (Melissa), Kathryn, and Jonathan (Isabel), and his grandchildren Evalee, Kaylee, Maccabee, and Emma.
Jonathan’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Virginia Hospital Center and Goodwin Hospice for their dedicated care.
Funeral services will be held on June 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 2609 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207. Visitation will be on May 31, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-va/jonathan-mayhew-11826301
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Jim Alden
Sad News.
Jonathan was a friend, a fine athlete, and served our country honorably for many years.My condolences to his family.
PS:I had his mother for Science teacher at Jefferson.
Erika Wang (Jones)
My deepest sympathy to Jonathan's wife, children and grandchildren. He was an extraordinary man, and contributed so much to America and national defense. I remember him well. He was strong willed, even as a young teen.
Erika Wang Jones
Helen Rankin (Bamert)
I am so very sad to learn that Johnathan has passed. My condolences to his family.Roger Hartman (D. )
So sad to read this. Jonathan was a good friend and a major contributor. Very tough for his family. Our herd continues to thin.
Blaine Tyler (L. )
Jonathan was one of those ships that passed in the night for me. Only bumping into him once in a blue moon didn't leave an indelible imprint on my mind. Which is why the In Memorium section of this website is exceptionally important. Because there were many of the class who were his friends. Like Jim Alden I had Jonathan's mom for general science. While I enjoyed the class (to a certain extent), I remember Mrs. Mayhew as One Tough Cookie. And I have no doubt from this biograpical sketch of her son, that she passed some of that iron fiber on to him. He was a doer, not a talker. Perhaps the most poignant remark in all of the admirable listings for Jonathan was the remark, "surrounded by his family" when he departed. Being part of the Marine Honor Guard at the National Cemetery, occasionally there is an internment where one or none show up to say goodbye. We don't enter this world al0ne and we shouldn't exit that way. Along this wearying road of life, besides His own dear presence, the Good Lord gives us family and friends to help us out. Jonathan had all that and more that is not recorded here. May his family rejoice that the battle he fought is over
Jane Mullins (Bacchus)
I, too, am so sorry to learn of Jonathan's passing. I never knew him well in school but getting to know him through our reunions was wonderful. I also got to spend some time with his wife, Barbara. He fought his illness for several years but was a real trooper. I also had Mrs. Mayhew for that experimental advanced General Science class with Blaine and Kent. I did NOT belong in that class because I found out I had no aptitude for science😊😊. Lucky for me, she really liked me and I was actually her "pet!" Three years earlier, my husband, Steve had her for Algebra and Jonathan told me he was her "pet" then. Jonathan was a great person and he adored his children and wife. I am so glad I was able to be his friend. He will be missed🙏🏻. Jane Bacchus
Jane Mullins (Bacchus)
Oops! Jim Alden.
Jack Groves
Jonathan and I were casual friends from Jefferson on, to me just an all-around really good guy. I'm sure we all appreciate his military service, his follow-on service to the country, and the fact that he was the kind of guy who would help other people in his career. I will never forget Mrs. Mayhew complementing me on my Jefferson Science fair award for the astronomical telescope I built; I was a little nervous around her up until that point!
Love and mercy to Jonathan's family and may he rest in peace.
Phil Ramsey
Jonathon was a great guy and a hell of a swimmer. He always took on the toughest races; the longer the better. At Highland he's the reason we had a swim team. He went to Mr. Krum and said if he would let us have a team he would guarantee that we would win the state championship all three years he was there and we did. With all those years working behind the "Iron Curtain" I kidded him about being a spy but he would just laugh and deny it. We kept in touch over the years and I will miss his droll sense of humor.
Grace-Marie Arnett (Turner)
What an honorable career Jonathan had, with service to our country both in the Army and as a Foreign Service officer with the State Department. He was a fine student and athlete when we knew him at Jefferson and Highland. I rememeber talking with him at one of our high school reunions when he was surrounded by five or six women, all expressing admiration for his career and accomplishments. I remember so vividly when he asked as an aside, "Why weren't you this interested in me when we were all in school?" Good question that says so much. Rest in peace, Jonathan, and blessings to your beautiful and loving family that cherish your memory.