Ronnie May

Ronnie Avis May, 76-year-old Nowata resident, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, July 2, 2010, at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa. Ronnie was born in Nowata, Oklahoma, August 26, 1933, the son of Charley May and Agnes (Hannigan) May. He was raised and educated in the Diamond Point Community around Nowata, graduating from Nowata High School in 1952. He was active in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era, serving one tour in Vietnam and a total of twenty years of service before retiring in 1975. Ronnie was united in marriage with Eileen Daphne Neale on August 11, 1956, in Braintree, England. After his military service they made their home in Nowata and Ronnie worked for the Nowata Public Schools until he retired. Even after his retirement, Ronnie continued to be involved with the school by working high school basketball and football games. He was also very active and enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and volunteering to help at the Election Board. Most of all he loved his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ronnie is survived by two sons, Andrew Michael Neale of the home and Ronnie May, Jr. of McAlester; four daughters, Carol Ethier of Corpus Christi, Texas, Donna Parrett of Talala, Tina Boswell of Nowata and Tracy Thornbrugh of Vilseck, Germany; one brother, Charles May of Talala; one sister, Vada Jo Benton of Norman; eleven grandchildren, Tracy Ethier, Kelly Williams, William Ethier, Brady May, Scott Parrett, Tadd Parrett, Paige Parrett, Maygen Smith, Jacob Smith, Sage Thornbrugh, and Sydney Thornbrugh; and ten great-grandchildren. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 53 years. Funeral services for Mr. May will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 9, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Nowata. Pastor Todd Brock of the First Baptist Church of Nowata will preside over the services, with interment to follow in the Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be accorded Mr. May by the VFW Honor Guard of Tulsa. Funeral services are under the direction of the Benjamin Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Thursday, July 8th, 2010 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Friday, July 9th, 2010 8:00am - 8:30am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Friday, July 9th, 2010 10:00am, First Baptist Church - Nowata

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery