In Memoriam: Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays
We pray for the family and friends of Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, who passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30th, at the age of 84, in Toledo, OH.
Pastor Mays was an accomplished man within the ELCA ministry across Ohio and parts of the southern U.S. After graduating from Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH) in 1963, he enrolled at the Hamma School of Theology where he received a Master of Divinity (B.D.) and ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1966. In 1987, Nicholas received his Doctor of Ministry from Capital University (Columbus, OH).
Thirty plus years of serving congregations with his gift and skills included calls to St. John's Lutheran Church (Ingomar, Ohio), Reformation Lutheran Church (Eastlake, Ohio), First English Lutheran Church (Crestline, Ohio), and Reformation Lutheran Church (Toledo, Ohio). After three decades of leading numerous parish ministries in Ohio, Nicholas accepted the position of Professor Contextual Education at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1997. This position was a special opportunity to teach and develop future generations of Lutheran pastors for the ELCA across the U.S. Pastor Mays officially retired from this professor role in 2008.
He was known for his kind and compassionate spirit, intelligence and wisdom, in addition to dedicating his life in service to others. His deep understanding of Christian faith and teachings were only matched by his unending devotion to Cleveland sports teams. All who came in touch with Pastor Mays throughout the years received his love, care, spiritual guidance and direction.
Nicholas was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sandra, in 2020. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Mandy (Matt) Brown, Brian (Christy) Mays, and Tracy (Jason) Anderson; his grandchildren, Katie Brown (Jacob Hall), Andrew Pfeiffer, Trevor Brown, Eric Pfeiffer, Adam (Veronica) Mays and Caroline Mays; and his great-grandchild, Camille (Adam and Veronica Mays). Nicholas will also be missed by friends, fellow clergy, and former parishioners, all of whom were deeply impacted by his friendship and ministry. Nicholas was born in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Eleanor (Mays) Whitesell. He was one of four children, with two surviving sisters, Judy (Ron) Baker and Phyllis Reitz; and one brother, Philip (Paula) Mays.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The service will be held at Faith United Lutheran Church, 4543 Douglas Road, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith United Lutheran Church or Bittersweet Farms, 12660 Archbold Whitehouse Road, Whitehouse, OH 43571.
“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Reverend Dr. Nicholas K. Mays. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”
