Thomas Tabb Mayo IV

Thomas Tabb Mayo IV, 94, of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, passed away peacefully at Lynchburg General Hospital surrounded by his family, on July 19, 2026, from injuries sustained by a fall at home. Tom was born on June 15, 1932, in Radford, Virginia, to the late Thomas Tabb Mayo III and Martha Lavinder Mayo. He was married to Elna Ann Wilson for 69 Years. They had three children, Thomas Tabb Mayo V, Ann Burgess Mayo, and Chester Wilson Mayo, and one granddaughter, Martha Ann Claire Mayo.

Tom graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1954. He received his Master's degree in Physics from the University of Virginia in 1957 and the PhD from that University in 1960. He worked with Dr. Jesse Beams on classified projects involving the ultracentrifuge and separating isotopes. He was called into the Army in 1961 where he served with the Chemical Corps at Ft. McClellan, Ala. After his honorable discharge in 1962, he began his teaching career at Hampden-Sydney College, first in the Physics Department , then in the Math and Computer Science Department. Tom was the "utility infielder" at the College. During his career he served as the Associate Dean of the Faculty and as Acting Dean as well as Registrar and as Chairman of the Economics Department. Wherever he was needed, he was there. He retired in 2001.

He and Elna Ann joined College Presbyterian Church in 1962. He was an active Church member, ordained as an elder and sang tenor in the church choir. He was a driver for Meals on Wheels since its beginning in Prince Edward County in 2001. He loved classical music and opera and had season tickets for the Virginia Opera performances in Richmond.

Tom loved sports and played tennis and then racquetball into his 80's. He was a big fan of Hampden-Sydney basketball and football and attended home games and many away games as well as ODAC tournaments.

Tom also enjoyed family vacations at Emerald Isle, NC, which often included families of close friends, John & Sally Waters and Ron & Sandy Heinemann.

He is survived by his wife, Elna Ann, by his children and granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents and his sisters, Elizaeth Thor, Martha Irwin, and Katherine Schmidt.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at College Presbyterian Church, Hampden-Sydney, Va., on September 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. In honor of Tom's life, memorial contributions may be made to College Church, Hampden-Sydney College, or a charity of your choice.