John Jay May

John was born on Saturday, November 17, 1945, in Houston, Texas, the second son of Thomas Joseph May and Johnnie Jolene Arnold. He was raised in Humble, Texas with his siblings. He was the quarterback and a co-captain for the Humble High School football team and graduated in 1964. He spent his summers working at his uncle’s service station or cutting grass to pay his way through college.

With the encouragement of his father, John attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 1968. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 11, and always a proud fightin’ Texas Aggie!

After his graduation, he was employed by General Electric for four years, and worked in Philadelphia, PA, Schenectady, NY and Dallas, TX. John returned to Houston where he worked for a short time at Powell Electric Manufacturing Company. In 1973, he was employed by Reading & Bates Offshore Drilling Company for 30 years. He traveled the world designing power systems on offshore drilling rigs including the Deep Water Horizon. During his time at R&B he proudly earned his professional engineering license, and after retiring from Reading & Bates (TransOcean), he began consulting for British Petroleum and ABB Norway.

John met Suzzanne Goode in 1973 and they were married on December 27, 1976. They raised three children in their family home on Hardwidge Court. John was the leader of the family and made sure everyone had plenty of chores. They attended church each Sunday together. He tucked his children in bed each night and knelt by their beds to say prayers. He always had a project at the house or ranch and the kids were always involved. He loved Suzzanne’s cooking, and a family meal together was important. He enjoyed watching sports, especially when his children were playing. He coached Brandon’s basketball team for several years and was always Melinda’s biggest track fan! John’s work overseas allowed his family to travel with him to Singapore, Korea, Norway, and they even lived in Japan for a year and a half.

After his retirement, John became a member of St. Faustina Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing golf, working outdoors with his shovel and wheelbarrow but above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family. His best times were family gatherings at the ranch with a gin & tonic after a hard day of work.

John will be remembered for his love of family and his strong work ethic. He was dearly loved, and we are grateful for the time we had with him.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Joseph May, Johnnie Jolene May, his brothers, Thomas Joseph May II, Leonard May, and his son John Brandon May.

John is survived by his wife Suzzanne of 46 years, his daughters, Melinda Anderson and husband Craig Anderson of Austin, TX, Angela May of Houston, TX, grandchildren Layla Anderson, Dylan Ward, River Anderson, Juliet Anderson and Levi Ward as well as, niece Natalie May Bolger and nephews Michael May and Dan May and six great nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 28102 FM 1093, Fulshear TX 77441 on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 11:00am, followed by the Rite of Committal Service at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.

A Celebration of Life Reception will follow the Committal Service, in the Magnolia Venue of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, beginning at 2:00pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com