David Randall Mays II, beloved father, son, friend and artist, died peacefully on Saturday Sep 26, 2026, at the age of 58 in San Diego CA.

Born April 3, 1968, in Johnson City TN, to David Randall Mays and Judy Elizabeth Arwood Mays. David grew up in Johnson City TN, San Diego CA, Charleston SC, Germany and Cinncinati. He graduated from Faragutt High School in 1987 and later attended the Chicago Institute of Art in IL.

David married his first wife, Jessica in 1991 and they made their home in Chicago IL and West Virginia until about 1993.

David met Cary Okano in 2000 while members of the artist collective: The Manatees** they created the Spinnin Anemone Carousel for Burning Man in 2001. They were married in June of 2004 on the playa of Black Rock Desert, and together they made their home in San Francisco CA before they moved to Oakland and Berkeley CA to raise son, Zackary Mays.

David spent about 6 years with Intuit and 12 years with Texas Pacific Global (TPG) as a graphic designer where he was valued for his creative abilities and extensive knowledge of information design. David’s manager, Ryan Hartman shared that he loved eating Indian food with their group and would bring homemade ice cream into the office.

Between 2000 to 2011, David was primarily known by his playa name, StarBoy, an extremely talented creative force for Burning Man and many art events like the annual New Years Eve Celebration, Sea of Dreams.

He was also an originator of Bunny Jam from 2000 to 2009 with a core group of talented artists: the Dish Collective***.

David described his art as “Bringing people together to incite play” which he succeeded in accomplishing with each artwork he created.

Most recently, he loved being active with his son, Zak: hiking, speedboating, boogie boarding, whale watching, camping, traveling to Lassen, Las Vegas, and playing video games. They enjoyed a close father-son relationship, which has spanned more than two decades.

David is survived by his son, Zackary, his Mother, Judy, his Father, David, his brother, Michael, sister-in-law, Angie (Micheal, Mason), his sister, Ashley, brother-in-law, Ben (Connor, Carson, Claire).

Service Information

Memorial Service: planning for David’s birthday 4/3/2027

Interment: Tennessee, California, Texas and Black Rock Desert, NV

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to the Black Rock Arts Foundation: https://blackrockarts.org/

**The Manatees

Warren Trezevant, Jen Hagerman, K.S. Lewis, Joanna Gray, Keith Erickson, Pani Page, Albert McFarland, Tall Tom White, Richard Waterfield, Lee Dean, Casey Hagerman, Linda Waterfield, Amy Van Every, Cary Okano, StarBoy

(honorary Manatee: Lady Bee)

***The Dish Collective:

Black Light Bunny, Belinda The Bunny, Bison Bunny, Bunny Jo,Delachaux Lapin, Camera Bunny, CC Clark, Dr Farmly, Dec stalker Rabbit, Dr. Fur Boing!, Dragn’Bunny, Dr. Frankenpeep, Furtographer, DJ Helgabunny, HistErica Hissy Hare, Holcomb Bunnylite, Hot Damn Bunny, Jackie Jack, Jason Cottontail, J. Hippy C., Simmerin’ Hasenpfeffer, Jenne Giles, Jon Fur Ran, Jovino Funnybunny, Karrot Lewis, KharmaBunny, Little Bunny Zak, Little Rabbit, M’Bunny, Marcia CrosBunny, Mein HARE!, Monica Jeremias, Mosbunny, NeonBunny, Nemashahare, Ouchy the Bunny, Peanut Bunny, Peri Pfenninger, Puddle Rabbit, Rabbit Race, Red Jackelope, Run Rabbit Harebert, Sandwich Bunny, Scotty The Blue Bunny, Sean Kelly Shimmerbunny & Kit Nadine, Skibit, Spoonish Bunny, StarBunny, Super Space Bunny, Scooter “Thumper” X, Sugarbunni, Super Space Bunny, Tangly Whabbits, Mr Bunny Chainsaw! & Many Bunny MORE!