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In Memory

Don May

Don May

 

HHS’59ers, we have learned that our classmate Donald May passed away on December 25,2023. Thanks to his wife, Carolyn, for letting us know about Don. We also would like to remind our classmates that Don was an outstanding member of our Pony Express baseball team.  Following is Don’s obituary:

Donald Perry May of Ashland, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 25, 2023, following a prolonged battle with leukemia. Don was born April 29, 1941, in Huntington, West Virginia to Russell and Gladys May, and was raised in Huntington, West Virginia with his eight siblings. He married his best friend and love, Carolyn Justice May in February of 1967.


Don was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and loved his family unconditionally. He was honest, loyal, and steadfast. In his free time, Don loved to golf and travel with his wife. He was clever and full of knowledge gained through all of his life experiences; he took great pride in the family he had built, enjoyed hosting many family gatherings and holidays, and especially loved his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Don graduated from Huntington High School in 1959 where he was an outstanding member of the baseball team before joining the Air Force, where he was stationed in South Dakota. After serving for four years, he returned to Huntington and began working for a time at Owens Illinois. He then worked for Ashland Oil, where he met his devoted wife, Carolyn. Don worked as a purchaser for the Ashland Oil Refinery for 33 years and retired in 1999 from Marathon Ashland. As was typical for Don retirement left him with too much time on his hands, so he then worked an additional five years for Ghiz Processing.


Don is preceded in death by his brothers, David and Arnie May, and sister Florence May. He is survived by wife Carolyn Justice May of Ashland, siblings Danny May (Elaine) of Huntington, Sylvia Fortner (Bobby) of Huntington, Grace Scarberry (Gary) of Huntington, Willie May (Sandy) of Ashland Kentucky, Darlene Dyer (Jim) of South Point, Ohio; children Kevin May (Shannon) of Pataskala, Ohio, Todd May (Robin) of Pickerington, Ohio, Eric May (Astrid) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren Ashley Marth (John) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Zach May of Athens, Ohio, Allison Bekier (Robbie) of Pataskala, Ohio, Dylan May of Pickerington, Ohio, Sasha May of Nashville, Tennessee, Jasper May of Nashville, Tennessee; great-grandchildren Adelynn Mae Bekier of Pataskala, Ohio, Annie Marcella Marth of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nolan Robert Bekier of Pataskala, Ohio, Audrey Carolyn Marth of Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.


A celebration of Don’s life took place on December 30, 2023, at Steen Funeral Home in Ashland, conducted by Pastor Willie May, brother, and Pastor Jody Fortner, nephew. Burial followed at Ashland Cemetery with military services conducted by the Kenova American Legion Post 93. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his memory.