John B. May, 85, of Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2008. He was born June 28, 1923 to B. L. and Ola May in North Little Rock, Arkansas. John was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Katie, his parents and his sister, Geraldine Peel.
John was a deacon, chairman of numerous committees and active member of Calvary Baptist Church for 58 years. Known as J.B. as a young man, he was a graduate of North Little Rock High School and a veteran of the Second World War, where he served as a flight instructor in the Army Air Corps. He owned and operated John B. May & Company, Inc., a mechanical contractor, for 30 years. John was a past president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Arkansas, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Gideon's International, member of the Scottish Rite Consistory and Scimitar Shrine Temple, and a longtime golfer at Pleasant Valley Country Club. He was a loyal fan and dedicated contributor to Razorback athletics for over 50 years.
John, or Popie as he was known by his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is survived by his daughters, Janet Reed and husband, Douglas of Cordova, Tennessee; Linda Covington and husband, Ken of Houston, Texas; and Deborah May of Little Rock; sisters, Irene Womble of Vilonia, Arkansas and Lavelle Powell of Paris, Texas; grandchildren, Kenny Covington, Tommy Covington, Mitchell Reed, Michael Covington, Jason Reed, David Covington, Melissa Covington Crain, Mary Catherine Faulkner and J. B. Kincaid; fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 30 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock, Arkansas. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Reverend Ed Simpson. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell, Little Rock, AR 72207. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Please visit the online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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