Obituary of James May

James Mathias May of Stratton, Colorado passed into eternal life on Friday, May 10, 2013 at his home surrounded by family. He was 87 years old. Jim was born on July 7, 1925 to Bernard “Ben” and Salome (Majerus) May in Colwich, Kansas. Jim was the second of eight children. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School in Colwich, and graduated from Andale High School in Andale, Kansas in 1943. Jim immediately began farming on a 1300 acre farm near Leoti, Kansas, but was then called to serve his country in World War II in 1945. Jim served in Germany as the war was ending, and was honorably discharged on October 23, 1946 after completion of his enlistment. Following the War, Jim began farming with his brother Wilfred, on land purchased south of Stratton, Colorado. They broke sod and began a small livestock operation, and began an agricultural life during some hard dry years in the 1950’s. Jim met the love of his life, Carmelita Marie Pound, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends, in Omaha, Nebraska on St. Patrick’s Day. Luck of the Irish, they were married about a year later on April 12, 1958 in Omaha. They began their married life in Colwich, and moved back to Stratton in the fall of 1959. This union was blessed consistently with children, five sons and a daughter, Jim, Dan, Tom, Steve, Mary, and Ed. As the family grew they built a new home in 1965. It was here that they chose to raise their family, grow their business, and live out their lives in the Stratton community. Jim was always very active in service to his church and community. With the advent of irrigation in eastern Colorado, he served on the Plains Ground water district board. He was President and served for many years on the board of the Stratton Equity Co-op. He also served and became President of the Colorado Springs PCA which is now Farm Credit. He was very instrumental in the planning and building of the new rectory and CCD center at St. Charles, the prayer parks, stained glass windows in the church, and any project he could help with. He also enjoyed very much his membership in the Stratton Golf Club, the Stratton American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. Jim was very proud of his Church and community and cherished very much his many friends in the Stratton community. Jim’s golden years were full and blessed with many great times spent with his family, children, grandchildren, and friends. He loved life and watching the seeds he planted grow, prosper, and thrive. He remained totally devoted to his wife, and they celebrated 55 years together about a month before he passed away. He was able to see and visit with most of his family in the last few weeks. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wilfred and his sister Delores Kosaria. He is survived by his wife Carmelita; six children, Jim and his wife Imogene of Stratton, Dan and his wife Becky of Greenwood Village, CO, Tom and his wife Kim of Stratton, Steve and his wife Valerie of Stratton, Mary Kale and her husband Mike of Buena Vista, and Ed and his wife Denise of Highlands Ranch, CO; sixteen grandchildren: Matt May and his wife Jen (High River, Alberta Canada), Jessi May (Stratton), Zachary (Denver), Alyssa and Josh May (Greenwood Village), Todd (Denver), Jordan, Kyle and Sara May (Stratton), Adam (Denver), Phillip and his wife Leah (Denver) and Samantha May (Burlington), Christopher and Nicole Kale (Buena Vista), and Ashley and Allison May (Highlands Ranch); two great grandchildren Ryan and Lisa May (High River, Alberta Canada). He is also survived by four brothers, Don of Colwich, KS, Ben and his wife Judy of Denver, CO, Rich and his wife Elsie of Stratton and Jerry and his wife Barbara of Denver, and one sister Dorothy Funk-Daves and her husband Everett of Topeka, KS, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.