Richard Henry (Dick) May

Richard (Dick) Henry May, Colonel US Air Force (Retired).

Dick May went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 14, 2011.

He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on October 7, l9l8, and was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Minnie May, and his sister Elsie.

He pursued his love for flying by earning his pilot license soon after high school. Dick entered the Army Air Corp during World War II and flew B-24 bombers in Europe. Dick remained in the US Air Force for 31 years and was a Command Pilot with over 7, 000 hours in a wide variety of military aircraft. When he retired in 1969 at the rank of Colonel, Dick was the Director of Communications for the Federal Aviation Agency.

Col. May continued to work in private industry for another twenty years, including many years with Western Union Telegraph Co. as Assistant VP of Government Communications. While at Western Union, he helped manage the launching of the first civilian data communications satellite in the early 1970s.

Dick had a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland and a Master's Degree from George Washington University, both in Administration. He also graduated from the Air Force Command and Staff College; Armed Forces Command and Staff College; and the USAF Senior Communications and Electronics Staff Officers School where he held the rating of Master Instructor.

After fully retiring, Dick pursued a variety of activities benefiting the community. He was a member of several professional organizations, including the Military Officers Organization of America (Past President of the Glynn County Chapter); Rotary International (Past President of the St. Simons Island Rotary Club and their District Governor Nominee in l986). He was also a thirty-five year member of the Order of Daedalians, a military pilot's fraternal organization. Dick was on the board of directors for Magnolia Manner, has been active with the Salvation Army and Children's Home. Dick and his wife are members of Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

Dick is survived by his wife Lucille, celebrating nearly 70 years of marriage; two sons and daughter-in-laws, Dick Jr. and Marylyn of Springfield, NE and Tom and Jane who reside Marietta, GA. He will be greatly missed by his four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10am, Friday, November 18, 2011 at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Hale Bishop and Rev. V. L. Daughtery officiating. Entombment will follow in McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausouleum. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7 pm at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to a charity of choice. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602