Eric Mays Cause of Death: Obituary, Life Story & Legacy Explained

Eric Mays was a third-term Flint City Council member who represented the First Ward. He first won election in 2013 and kept his seat through several heated political seasons.

He built his brand as a watchdog for residents. He asked tough questions, filed complaints and lawsuits, and pushed to put people ahead of procedure. The City of Flint described him as bold and courageous and lowered the flag at City Hall in his honor. ²

Mays grew up in Flint. He graduated from Flint Northern High School and later attended Michigan State University. He worked for General Motors and was active in union life before stepping fully into city politics.

Those biographical details appeared in his public bios and later in obituary notices.³

He made a statewide and even national name for himself during the Flint water crisis. He was one of the earliest elected officials to challenge assurances about water quality.

His persistent pressure helped keep the issue in the headlines and before regulators. Even people who did not like his tone often credited him for keeping the heat on the system. ⁴

The Flint Water Crisis and Mays’s Role

The water crisis defined a decade of public life in Flint. In 2014 the city switched its water source. Treatment problems followed and lead leached into the water system.

Residents reported discoloration, rashes, and strange smells. Investigations and lawsuits later laid out failures at multiple levels of government.

From the start, Mays was not satisfied with official answers. He pushed for meetings where residents could speak and experts could be questioned. In 2015 he hosted one of the most visible public sessions on the topic, which helped draw wider attention to the crisis.

This period shaped his reputation as a fighter who did not mind making enemies if it meant protecting his ward. ⁵

Legal Friction and Civil Actions

Beyond meeting discipline, Mays and the courts crossed paths in other ways. He faced a disorderly conduct case tied to a council session and received a six-month probation sentence.

He also filed suits against colleagues and city officials over various grievances. After his death, his lawyer said he would continue to pursue cases Mays had launched.

Mays’s willingness to litigate matched his willingness to argue on the dais. He used every tool within reach to push the city for answers. Fans saw this as persistence. Critics saw it as disruption. In Flint politics, those views often depended on where you lived and whom you trusted.

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Eric Mays’ Cause of Death

Eric Mays died on February 24, 2024, at his home in Flint. The city confirmed his death but did not list a cause in its first statement.

Later reporting by Michigan Public and other outlets said he died of natural causes. Some coverage also said he had been ill.

The most cautious way to put the facts is this: local reporters, citing authorities and family court filings, described his death as due to natural causes, and officials did not suggest foul play. ⁶

When a public figure dies, early reports can be incomplete. In this case the “natural causes” language came through in follow-up stories once more information reached the press. If you are writing about his passing, “natural causes” is the best supported term based on the record.⁷

Obituary and Funeral Details

Obituary notices for Councilman Mays appeared soon after his death. Legacy.com carried a notice from Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home that confirmed the date and his age, and stated that arrangements were pending.

A longer obituary later appeared through Paradise Funeral Chapel, which offered a faith-centered remembrance and biographical details. These notices confirmed his birth date, his service on the council, and family ties. ⁸

There was also a legal dispute inside the family about who would make the final funeral decisions. A Genesee County judge issued a ruling that cleared a path for burial after delays. Michigan Public reported that ruling in March 2024 and again noted the death was from natural causes.

While emotional and unusual, family legal conflicts do surface after the death of a public figure, and the court record is part of the public file.

In parallel, the city paid tribute. The mayor called the loss a shock to the community. City Hall ordered flags to half-staff. National outlets summarized his career and the public memorials in the days that followed.

Legacy and Impact of Eric Mays

Eric Mays leaves a complicated legacy. He was a watchdog for the First Ward. He stood firm on issues that mattered to working people. He pushed during the worst days of the water crisis. He did not use polished language, and he did not try to smooth every sharp edge.

He also frustrated colleagues. Meetings ran long. Votes stalled. Headlines about his suspensions and arrests sometimes overshadowed his policy work.

But in a city that had been ignored and harmed, many residents believed Mays’s rough style fit the times. He made noise when silence had failed them.⁹

His career shows how local democracy works when people refuse to sit down. He proved that one council member can shape a city’s conversation. He asked questions that were uncomfortable and sometimes messy. He took heat, and he gave it back. When you look at the water crisis timeline, you see his name in the early chapters. That is not a small thing.

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FAQ’s

1) What was Eric Mays’s cause of death?

Local reporting says he died of natural causes. The city’s first announcement did not specify a cause, but Michigan Public later reported the cause as natural. Some coverage also mentioned that he had been ill.¹⁰

2) When did Eric Mays die?

He died on February 24, 2024. The City of Flint announced his passing that evening.

3) How old was he?

He was 65 years old.¹¹

4) What office did he hold?

He served as a member of the Flint City Council for the First Ward. He first won the seat in 2013 and kept it until his death in 2024.

5) Why was he famous outside Flint?

He was one of the first elected officials to challenge the official line on the Flint water crisis. He held vocal, packed meetings and demanded action. His meeting clashes and viral clips also drew wider attention. ¹²

Final Word

Eric Mays was not a conventional politician. He was a neighbor who brought the noise of the neighborhood into City Hall. His death closed a major chapter in Flint’s political story.

His legacy remains in the public record of a city that fought for safe water and for a voice. If you want to understand Flint in the 2010s and early 2020s, you cannot skip Eric Mays.

He was there, every week, pushing a little harder than the room could comfortably bear, and forcing the room to listen.