Obituary of James L. May

None James Leland May James L. (Jim) May passed away July 20, 2011, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson Disease. Jim was born Oct. 21, 1934 in Grovont, Wyoming to Leland and Lola (Lunbeck) May. He married Nancy J. (Jacobson) Bentley Sept 6, 1966. Jim graduated from American Fork High School (Utah) in 1952. He worked for the State of Idaho Department of Transportation in the Division of Highways for 33 years as a chainman, surveyor, and a bridge inspector. Jim loved music, especially playing the violin, guitar, harmonica and ukele. He had a beautiful singing voice, and sang at various venues, including weddings and funerals when he was younger, and more recently with the Forever Young Choir of the Olympia Senior Center. Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, camp, ski, and also garden. Jim also enjoyed playing pool, bowling, and working jigsaw puzzles. He was a committed fan of the Seattle Mariners, and enjoyed watching sports in general. Jim was a devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and treasured his 29 years of sobriety. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons, Donald Wood May and wife Sandy of Post Falls, ID, and Ronald George May and wife Deborah D. of Renton, WA; one daughter, Susan Lynette (May) Clare of Spokane, WA; three step-children, Mark S. Bentley of Bishop, CA, Gregory J. Bentley and spouse Nancy Carlye of Forest Knolls, CA, and Sherri L. Bentley of Olympia, WA; four sisters, Leola Esplin of Shelley, ID, Anita and husband Noel Lytle of Santa Rosa, CA, Cathy Reed and spouse Lonnie Gray of Surprise, AZ, and Wilma and husband Garn Wilde of Hayden Lake, ID; three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Special thanks to staff at the Olympia Senior Center for really being there for Jim so that he could participate in various activities, and also staff at Roo-Lan Healthcare Center for their compassionate care during his stay. A Celebration of his life will be held at Funeral Alternatives, 455 North ST SE, Tumwater, Washington on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm. For those wishing to, donations may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc (APDA),Washington State Chapter P.O. Box 75169 Seattle, WA 98175 Please your remembrance on the guest book below.