Jesse A. May Jr.

Jesse A. May, Jr. 92, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather died on May 29, 2015. He was born to Jesse and Grace May on September 29, 1922 in Brownfield, TX. He is survived by his wife, Anna; brother Charles and sister Pat; sons and daughters-in-law Jesse and Patti May, Charles and Gwen May, and David and Domenique May; grandchildren Jessica May, Grace May-Warden, John May, Chris Maxwell, Eric Maxwell, Jamie Horne, Jacob May, and Jesse May; great-grandchildren Maggie Maxwell, Noah Bala-May, and Peyton and Zoey Maxwell. Jesse was preceded in death by his sister Jo Beth Pavia and son John Baker May. Jesse grew up in Clovis, NM and graduated from Mercedes HS in 1940. He married his college sweetheart Anna Baker on September 22, 1946. Jesse had numerous accomplishments in his life. He reached the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts. Jesse served as a Captain in the United States Army and Army Corps of Engineers during WWII and subsequent US Pacific Occupation rebuilding infrastructure from 1943 to 1946. Jesse graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in civil engineering in 1948. Jesse and Anna moved from Clovis NM to Farmington NM in 1953 where he established J.A. May Jewelers, Farmington's oldest and finest jewelry store for over 35 years. Jesse served as President of the Farmington Lions Club, and also as District Governor of the Northern NM Lions Club. Jesse served on the Board of Directors of NM Boys and Girls Ranch for 33 years. He was active in the United Way and served for a period as its President. He served on the Board of Directors for the San Juan Regional Medical Center. Jesse was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Gideons Society. He served a term as President of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. In 1982 Jesse was named the Farmington Citizen of the Year as well as receiving the NM Distinguished Service Award. In 1997 Jesse was elected to the San Juan College Hall of Fame for his efforts toward the college's independence. Jesse was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington for over five decades. Jesse was a serious, committed and humble Christian who lived his life in service and he will be missed very much by everyone who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13th at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, 865 N. Dustin Ave., Farmington, NM with reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to NM Boys and Girls Ranch, 6209 Hendrix Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or First Presbyterian Church of Farmington.