Max E. May

Max was born March 31, 1922, in Detroit, Michigan and named Lloyd Morrissey. He was adopted by Minnie Marie (Hull) May and Samuel D. May, and grew up in Troy Ohio, having many adventures on the Miami River and nearby creek, riding his bike and working as a Western Union Delivery Boy. He spent much of his time watching the WACO airplanes that were manufactured and flown in the area, and later worked at WACO.

Ruth Eloise Kaufman and Max were married on July 26, 1942 in Troy, Ohio. Ruthie claimed him early on in grade school, waiting for him after school and giving him her swing.

Max joined and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as a Aviation Metal Smith and then as an Airship Rigger after joining the blimp crew, flying blimps out of Naval Air Station Richmond in Southern Florida, patrolling the Gulf of Mexico, Eastern Seaboard, Caribbean, and Yucatan for enemy submarines, as well as escorting convoys carrying troops and supplies to Europe. One of the blimp crews was shot down by a German submarine, and Max was issued a commendation for spotting the Captain that had drifted away from the crew, so he could be rescued from the sharks that encircled him.

Max and Ruth returned to Troy, built a little house in Covington, Ohio, working tirelessly to complete it while Max was working a job at Hobart as a welder and Ruthie tended to the home, children and large garden. In the early 50's Max and Ruth moved to Tucson, Arizona as a result of Max's health being jeopardized by severe asthma in the humid climate. Max was a welder at Hughes Aircraft and later retired from the University of Arizona Police. As many of you know, Max was well known for his passion for weightlifting, winning a silver metal in the Olympic try-outs and many other trophies for weightlifting. Any one that shook hands with him had no doubt that he was one strong guy.

Max and Ruth were loving parents. Max is predeceased by his beloved Ruthie, and by their oldest son, Scott D. May. He is survived by children Sandra Lee Raub and Richard B. May. He has six grandchildren, Walter (Chip), Christine, Steven, Lucas, Cody and Genesen. He is also survived by many great and great great grandchildren.