After retiring from a career in radio broadcasting, Mayes returned to school. He graduated summa cum laude from St. Edward's University in Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science in 2002 at age 78. He went on to earn a Master of Liberal Arts degree in 2005 and a Master of Business Administration in 2006 from St. Edward's University.
Following his retirement from radio broadcasting, Mayes pursued higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from St. Edward's University in Austin in 2002 at the age of 78, and later obtained degrees in Liberal Arts and Business Administration from the same institution in 2005 and 2006.