Don Maynard

Maynard in 2010, photo by Debby Wong/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Donald Rogers Maynard

Date of Birth: January 25, 1935

Place of Birth: Crosbyton, Crosby, Texas, United States

Date of Death: January 10, 2022

Place of Death: Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, small amount of Irish and Scots-Irish/Northern Irish

Don Maynard was an American professional football player. A wide receiver, he played for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL), the New York Titans/Jets, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, and the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League (WFL). He was receivers coach for the Shreveport Steamer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and was also honored by having his number 13 retired with the New York Jets.

Don was the son of Marion Aletta and Ernest Thomas “Tom” Maynard, a cotton broker. His family moved often, and he was raised partly in Colorado City, Texas. He was married to Marilyn Weaver, until her death.

Don’s paternal grandfather was James Benton Maynard (the son of James H. Maynard and Sarah Jane Robinson). Don’s grandfather James was born in Marshall County, Alabama. Don’s great-grandfather James was born in Alabama, the son of Jesse Maynard and Louisa Ruth Cluck. Sarah was born in Marshall County, the daughter of James T. Robinson and Mary F.

Don’s paternal grandmother was Sarah Jane Maroney (the daughter of Winston Miles Maroney and Susan/Susanah Lemley). Sarah was born in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. Winston was born in Marshall County, Alabama, the son of John Aydelott Maroney and Elizabeth “Bettie” Lavan/Levan. Susan was born in Alabama, the daughter of David Wilburn Lemley, whose maternal grandfather was a minister; and of Martha Ann Callison.

Don’s maternal grandfather was Ralsa J. Sharpe (the son of Lewis Sharp/Sharpe and Julia A. Betts). Ralsa was born in Kinsman, Trumbull County, Ohio, to parents who were also born there. Lewis was the son of Joseph Sharp and Melinda Miller. Don’s great-grandmother Julia was the daughter of Christian Betts, Jr., whose maternal grandfather was born in Northern Ireland; and of Elizabeth/Eliza Fister.

Don’s maternal grandmother was Mattie Cornelia Reed (the daughter of Francis H. Reed and Marion E. Sunbury). Mattie was born in Richmond Center, Ashtabula County, Ohio. Francis was born in Ohio, the son of James W. Reed and Mary Ann Goucher. Marion was born in Ohio, the daughter of Charles Tyrell Sunbury and Charlotte Julia Platt.

Source: Genealogy of Don Maynard – https://www.findagrave.com