David "Dave" Bruce May Sr.

OBITUARY OF DAVID BRUCE MAY SR.

David Bruce (Dave) May Sr., a beloved longtime resident of Port St. Joe, Florida, died peacefully on January 3, 2025, after a life well-lived. Over a span of 92 years, he was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, who touched so many people with his wisdom, patience, integrity, wit, and an unwavering commitment to those he loved. He was a Christian and member of the First Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11,2025 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern at the First Methodist Church in Port St. Joe. Prior to the funeral, the family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. Comforter Funeral Home of Port St. Joe is in charge of arrangements.

Dave was born on October 9, 1932, in Tonawanda, New York to Harvey and Bessie May. He was one of eight children: an older brother (Harvey) and six sisters (Marjorie, Mary, Vivian, Madalyn, Bessie, and Joan), all now predeceased.

He graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1949 where he excelled in academics, and played football, basketball, and ran track for the Tonawanda Warriors. When asked why he played so many sports, Dave was quick to explain that growing up in upstate New York -- with six sisters in a house with one bathroom -- the high school locker-room was the only place where he could be assured a hot shower.

After graduating from high school, he was awarded an NROTC scholarship and attended the University of Michigan and the University of Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Journalism and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He would often reflect that without the NROTC scholarship he would never have been able to go to college. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college and his parents and siblings all were very proud of him for that accomplishment.

While at the University of Missouri, Dave successfully completed Officers Candidate School at Quantico Virginia, and upon college graduation was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). He then was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola Florida where he earned his Wings as a Marine Fighter Pilot landing on and flying off aircraft carriers. He flew the F9F-Cougar, and the F9F-Panther-- which was one of the first combat jets used by the Marines. 

While in flight school in Pensacola, he met and fell in love with Betty Otto Anderson who was from Port St. Joe. In 1956, they were married in Port St. Joe at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and shortly thereafter moved to the Marine Corps Air Station in Opa-locka, Florida. It was from there he flew missions out of Guantanamo Bay Cuba and the Panama Canal Zone. Betty Otto would fondly recall that, before leaving on his missions, Dave would always fly over their small house and wave goodbye by “tipping” the wings of his plane.

After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Dave and Betty Otto moved to Port St. Joe Florida where they raised four boys: David Bruce May Jr. (Bruce), Michael Anderson May (Andy), Dr. Frank Douglas May (Dusty), and Patrick Gregory May (Pat). Shortly after moving to Port St. Joe, Dave bought the Western Auto Store which he successfully operated for over 35 years. A staunch believer in hard work and education, he employed a lot of young people eager to work and learn as part of the Port St. Joe High School Diversified Cooperative Training (DCT) Program. In addition to operating the Western Auto, he was a certified property appraiser, long-standing board member of the Citizens Federal Savings Bank of Port St. Joe, and a member and supporter of the Port St. Joe Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. He was a good businessman and a fair boss. He judged people for who they were and not where they came from. Dave loved Port St. Joe and its people who he often described as the “salt of the earth.” By that he meant folks that are sincere, honest, hard-working and kind. To him, being described as “salt of the earth” was one of the highest compliments that can be paid.

Above all, Dave was deeply committed to his family. He was a devoted and nurturing father to his four sons, Bruce, Andy, Dusty and Pat, and a loving partner to his wife, Betty Otto. Their 42 years of marriage were marked by love, respect, and an unwavering bond. He insisted that his entire family eat breakfast and supper together every day at which time he would test his sons’ vocabulary, chuckle at Betty Otto’s malapropisms and lead lively discussions about current events. Needless to say, there was not a dull moment around the May dinner table. But he would never let a meal end in discord. Instead, he would always wrap up the conversation by making a statement or an observation that no one could disagree with. All his sons say that he was the smartest and wisest man they have ever known.

After Betty Otto died in 1998, Dave was blessed to find love and companionship again with Marjorie McArthur Shivers whom he married. He was a loving and devoted husband to Marjorie, and she was a loving and devoted wife to him. They had a great life together travelling around the world, and dancing at the Thirsty Goat, the Haughty Heron and wherever else there was live music. Simply put, Marjorie made David happy; and, she and her family took special care of him as his health began to fail.

His devotion to his family was evident in all he did, and his legacy of loyalty, patience, good manners, and love will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. He exemplified the Marine motto Semper Fidelis and was truly an officer and a gentleman in every sense of those words.

Dave is survived by his wife, Marjorie; son Bruce (wife Joan); son Andy (wife Maritza), son Dusty (wife Carla); grandson David Bruce May III, PhD (Knoxville, Tn); granddaughter Susan May Hildebrand and husband Drew (Tallahassee, Fl.); granddaughter Georgia Presley May (Atlanta); granddaughter Madalyn May (Gulf Shores, Al.); granddaughter Rebecca May (Tampa, Fl.), grandson Douglas May (Port St. Joe); grandson Dr. Daniel May and wife Caitlin (Port. St. Joe), and great-grandchildren: Van Hildebrand, Presley Hildebrand, Otto Hildebrand, John Angelo Fuentes, Sailor Josephine Pierce, Sunny Anderson Pierce, and Harrison Fisher May; as well as many other nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife Betty Otto Anderson May and son Patrick Gregory May. He also shared a special bond with his father-in-law Otto Anderson, his mother-in-law Emma Anderson, his sister-in-law Dorothy Hannon, and his brother-in-law Frank Hannon, all of whom are predeceased.

Dave May will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that folks consider making a donation to BaySavers -- a non-profit, non-political, 100% volunteer organization that cares deeply about the environmental and economic future of our unique part of Florida, specifically St. Joseph Bay, Apalachicola Bay, St. Andrews Bay and the Lake Wimico ecosystem that connects them. https://baysaversfl.org/join-us/