Gary Mays grew up in Burnwell, WV, a coal town located on the other side of a mountain from Chelyan, the home of NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West. At the age of 5 years old, Mays lost his arm from a gun accident. Mays became a fantastic basketball player and baseball player. He would catch a baseball and dare you to steal. He swam, hunted, and shot a mean game of pool. He drove a cab and also started a construction company. He's a cancer survivor and once saved a young boy's life. On December 6, 2013 the students at Roots Public Charter School enjoyed hearing Mr Mays share some parts of his life story.