John David May, Jr.

Funeral services for John David May, Jr., 85, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jimmy Hedges and Pastor Randy Brown officiating, with Tom Dunn delivering a eulogy. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

John David May, Jr. was born on Memorial Day in 1936, as a 7 month old preemie to John David May, Sr. and Lockett Mae Perry May in Houston, Texas and died on the 4th of July 2021 in Lufkin, Texas. He grew up in Houston and graduated from Lamar High School in 1955. After graduation, he attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas for three years.

In 1958, David enlisted into the Marines Reserve, stationed in Houston, and served 3 years. Then he joined the Army, and he did his basic training in Fort Chafee, Arkansas. He completed medic training at Brooks Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed in Korea where he served in the First Calvary Division as a combat medic for two years, much like a MASH unit. After which, he returned home to Houston.

The following year in October 1961, David met Anne on a blind date. They did not see each other again for about six months. They resumed dating but several weeks later he accepted a job in Alaska as a mud drilling engineer on an oil rig. After 5 or 6 months in Alaska, he quit his job and returned again to Houston.  Soon after his return he ask Anne to marry him to which she promptly replied “No!”. He asked her to think about it. She agreed and said she would pray about it, but was sure the answer would still be “No!”. Three months later, they were married!

First of the children to arrive was Jim, then Lynda, and lastly Susan.

He worked for Union Carbide in Port Lavaca as a chemical engineer from 1962 to 1963. Then they moved back to Houston again where David worked for CIT Mortgage Company for several years beginning in February 1963. Over the next few years they moved up and down Highway 59, finally settling in Lufkin in 1965. Shortly after which he began his long career in banking.

They loved to travel and always had a camper. They spent many hours by the campfire listening to stories. The family’s favorite stories were about his adventures in Korea. David also loved to fish and hunt. He was the happiest when he was heading out on the lake early in the morning.

David was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, a member of the Crime Stoppers Board for 14 years, and a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 56 years.

After he retired, their love of traveling took them to: Alaska 5 times (which included 2 Iditarods), China, Hawaii, and up and down the west coast.

David had a knack for entertaining people with his stories and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lockett, in 1973; son, Jim, in 1983; father, David, in 1995; and mother-in-law, Evelyn, in 2003.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anne; his daughters, Lynda Wert and husband Todd of Rosenberg, Texas, and Susan Hubbard and husband Scott of Lufkin, Texas; granddaughters, Delyn Ridinger of Aubrey, Texas, Ashley and Lauren Hubbard both of Lufkin, Texas; sister, Georgia Shaver of Denton, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and their much loved dog, Abigail.

Pallbearers will be Scott Hubbard, Todd Wert, Richard Wiley, Jeff Whitfield, Jay Bailey, Andy Johnson, Ray Funderburk, and Tom Dunn.

Memorial contributions may be made to Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers, Inc., P.O. Box 456, Lufkin, Texas 75902 or online at www.639TIPS.com.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.