James Charles May

James Charles "J.C." May, 77, of Owensboro died Friday, May 22, 2009 at his home. He was born in Daviess County, a son of the late James Chesley and Mildred Bennett May. Devoted to his family and his country, Mr. May began his career with his father at the former May Concrete Company, and later worked for the United States Postal Service from which he retired. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Kentucky National Guard, retiring as First Sergeant of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor in Owensboro. Mr. May received the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal for his "exceptionally meritorious service in the performance of his duties as First Sergeant and for his devotion to duty and dedication to his unit and the Kentucky National Guard." He was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. He was a Kentucky Colonel and an avid fan of University of Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan basketball, a member of the Kentucky Wesleyan All America All Sports Club and a frequent traveler with the Panther Express.

He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon May-Johnson. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Geneva Rowan May; his daughters Deborah (Marvin) Nunley, Susan Taylor (Keith) Drach, and Karon (Patrick) Greenwell; his grandchildren, Meredith Paige Taylor, Allison Lora Taylor, Matthew Clayton Taylor, Charles Patrick Greenwell, Paul James (P.J.) May-Johnson, Charles Edward (Chase) May-Johnson, Justin Drach, Jason Drach, Elizabeth Holly Nunley (Greg) Williams, Marvin Bryan (Stacy) Nunley, and Benjamin Powers(Sarah) Nunley, eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Carl Lewis May of Warsaw, VA; his sister, Patricia Howard Kanable of Owensboro, several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Linda Henning of Crossville, IL, and several cousins.

Services, officiated by the Rev. Patrick Connell, are 12 noon Wednesday at Glenn Funeral Home where visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Kentucky Wesleyan College All America All Sports Club.