1935
Leon
2010
Leon May
September 6, 1935 — May 28, 2010
Harlingen:
Leon Wayne May, Sr. passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 27, 2010.
Leon was born September 6, 1935, in Pampa, Texas to Kit and Frances Beatrice May. He was the youngest of their six children. His parents, two brothers, Gene May, Kit Martin May, and sister, Jeannine May Cradit preceded Leon in death. Left to remember his exceptional life is his loving wife of 48 years, Virginia Reynolds May. H e is also loved and missed by his children, Leon Wayne (Lee) May, Jr., Jamie Cheryl May-Barson, and Kyle Edward May. Leon‘s grandchildren, Brooke Barson, Giavana May, Jaden May, and Jeffrey Asbury, were his great joy. Also, left to cherish his memory are his best friend and brother, W. E (Eddie) May, (Katheryn, “Whiz”) sister, Lyndall Owens, (Arthur), and sister-in-law, Kathy May. Numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws and dear friends will hold extraordinary memories of a man whose smile could brighten anyone’s day.
After attending Harlingen High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his tour of duty he served as a radio technician on Guam, and as a dental assistant at the Naval Base at San Diego, California. Following his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in pre-dental studies at Texas Southmost College. He was recruited by Patterson Dental Supply, and was assigned to the Patterson Dental Branch at Baylor School of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas. When promoted to Assistant Manager, he moved to Oklahoma City. After his transfer to Lubbock, he spent the next eight years as the Patterson west Texas sales agent. With a promotion to branch manager, the family moved to Houston. After three years in Houston, the family moved west to California, where he served as regional manager of the Patterson Dental Long Beach and Pasadena branches.
Following the death of his father-in-law, Leon and Virginia purchased the family business (Valley Hardware Supply) in Harlingen. After retirement, he discovered a love for advertising, and established Le May Specialty Advertising Agency.
Leon loved the Lord and was baptized into the arms of Christ. He was a member of 8th and Harrison Church of Christ.
How do you put an entire brilliant life in a few short sentences? For those who knew him, his smile lighted the room. His laughter sparked your smiles. His gusto for living made everyone around him feel more alive. He loved life, his family, and friends. Leon loved hunting and fishing. His happiest times were elk hunting on horseback in the mountains of Wyoming, pheasant hunting in Nebraska, deer and quail hunting, and fishing in Laguna Madre. But it was the camaraderie with family and friends rather than the hunt that made him smile. Leon was an avid golfer. Golf was a blessing and also his curse. Legend has it that after a bad game he once threw his clubs and bag into the water, only to retrieve them and rescue his car keys from his bag. Only then did he decide to keep the clubs and start a new round the next day. He was never a quitter and that philosophy sustained him through his entire life.
His wife, children and grandchildren were the light and joy of his life. He was a loving and gentle man, faithful husband, devoted father, proud grandfather and a beloved friend to many.
Leon lived a valuable and productive life. He fought his battle with his lengthy illness with dignity, strength and courage.
Leon is now among all of those that loved him and have gone before him to the paradise promised by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Leon was victorious over his life’s challenges, and is now peacefully at home. He will be greatly missed and always loved.
We want to thank his caregivers Odyssey Hospice, Chris Gonzalez, Paul Villa and his doctors Dr. Indal Seudeal, Dr. Lourdes Concha, and Dr. James Castillo.
Leon was a great man and will be held in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to have known him. “God speed” beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. Leon….we will see you again.
Visitation hours will be held from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 Pm to 7:00 PM, Monday, May 31, 2010 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Leon’s life will be held at the 8th & Harrison Church of Christ, 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 1, 2010 with Jake Vincent officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be golfing buddies, Larry Schoenemann, Gene Sanford, Marvin Sondock, John Garner, Lew Levine and Billy Bob English.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunny Glen Children’s Home, PO Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586 or the Harlingen Humane Society, 1106 Markowsky, Harlingen, TX 78550.
Leon Wayne May, Sr. passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 27, 2010.
Leon was born September 6, 1935, in Pampa, Texas to Kit and Frances Beatrice May. He was the youngest of their six children. His parents, two brothers, Gene May, Kit Martin May, and sister, Jeannine May Cradit preceded Leon in death. Left to remember his exceptional life is his loving wife of 48 years, Virginia Reynolds May. H e is also loved and missed by his children, Leon Wayne (Lee) May, Jr., Jamie Cheryl May-Barson, and Kyle Edward May. Leon‘s grandchildren, Brooke Barson, Giavana May, Jaden May, and Jeffrey Asbury, were his great joy. Also, left to cherish his memory are his best friend and brother, W. E (Eddie) May, (Katheryn, “Whiz”) sister, Lyndall Owens, (Arthur), and sister-in-law, Kathy May. Numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws and dear friends will hold extraordinary memories of a man whose smile could brighten anyone’s day.
After attending Harlingen High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his tour of duty he served as a radio technician on Guam, and as a dental assistant at the Naval Base at San Diego, California. Following his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in pre-dental studies at Texas Southmost College. He was recruited by Patterson Dental Supply, and was assigned to the Patterson Dental Branch at Baylor School of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas. When promoted to Assistant Manager, he moved to Oklahoma City. After his transfer to Lubbock, he spent the next eight years as the Patterson west Texas sales agent. With a promotion to branch manager, the family moved to Houston. After three years in Houston, the family moved west to California, where he served as regional manager of the Patterson Dental Long Beach and Pasadena branches.
Following the death of his father-in-law, Leon and Virginia purchased the family business (Valley Hardware Supply) in Harlingen. After retirement, he discovered a love for advertising, and established Le May Specialty Advertising Agency.
Leon loved the Lord and was baptized into the arms of Christ. He was a member of 8th and Harrison Church of Christ.
How do you put an entire brilliant life in a few short sentences? For those who knew him, his smile lighted the room. His laughter sparked your smiles. His gusto for living made everyone around him feel more alive. He loved life, his family, and friends. Leon loved hunting and fishing. His happiest times were elk hunting on horseback in the mountains of Wyoming, pheasant hunting in Nebraska, deer and quail hunting, and fishing in Laguna Madre. But it was the camaraderie with family and friends rather than the hunt that made him smile. Leon was an avid golfer. Golf was a blessing and also his curse. Legend has it that after a bad game he once threw his clubs and bag into the water, only to retrieve them and rescue his car keys from his bag. Only then did he decide to keep the clubs and start a new round the next day. He was never a quitter and that philosophy sustained him through his entire life.
His wife, children and grandchildren were the light and joy of his life. He was a loving and gentle man, faithful husband, devoted father, proud grandfather and a beloved friend to many.
Leon lived a valuable and productive life. He fought his battle with his lengthy illness with dignity, strength and courage.
Leon is now among all of those that loved him and have gone before him to the paradise promised by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Leon was victorious over his life’s challenges, and is now peacefully at home. He will be greatly missed and always loved.
We want to thank his caregivers Odyssey Hospice, Chris Gonzalez, Paul Villa and his doctors Dr. Indal Seudeal, Dr. Lourdes Concha, and Dr. James Castillo.
Leon was a great man and will be held in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to have known him. “God speed” beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. Leon….we will see you again.
Visitation hours will be held from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 Pm to 7:00 PM, Monday, May 31, 2010 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Leon’s life will be held at the 8th & Harrison Church of Christ, 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 1, 2010 with Jake Vincent officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be golfing buddies, Larry Schoenemann, Gene Sanford, Marvin Sondock, John Garner, Lew Levine and Billy Bob English.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunny Glen Children’s Home, PO Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586 or the Harlingen Humane Society, 1106 Markowsky, Harlingen, TX 78550.
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