James Edward May

James Edward May, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on September 7, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. May was born in Astoria New York on June 19, 1927 to James Andrew May and Helen Delahanty May. He was an outstanding student and athlete, lettering in baseball and football at Manhasset High School. He left high school early to join the Navy in 1945, and was accepted into the Aviation Midshipman program. He was among the first operational jet pilots to successfully land a jet aircraft on an aircraft carrier at night. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1945 to 1954. He also served in the Georgia Air National Guard in Marietta, Ga. from 1955 to 1966. In 1951, he married Ann Therese Sweisgood of Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by Ann, his beloved wife of 64 years, his six children, Peter, Therese, Andy, Mary, John, and Helen, and their spouses. He has 11 grandchildren and 2, soon to be 3, great grandchildren. In 1953 he graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology at the top of his class in aeronautical engineering. He began his career as an engineer for the Lockheed Corporation and worked there for 30 years, retiring in 1985 as the Director of Domestic Marketing. He was instrumental in the development of the C5A Galaxy transport, and the C141B stretch Starlifter. He was a highly respected colleague and mentor throughout his career at Lockheed. After his retirement from Lockheed, he devoted his time to his family, traveling the world with Ann and actively encouraging his grandchildren in their various activities. He volunteered at Literacy Action and Saint Francis Table for the homeless. He attended Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Never losing his lifelong passion for flying, he instructed young pilots at the Navy Flying Club in Marietta GA for 20 plus years, and made his final landing (a “grease job”) in April 2015 at the age of 87. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Care clinics of St. Joseph Hospital, Telephone 678-843-8500, wwwmercyatlanta.org. Visitation will be held on Friday September 11 from 7 to 9 pm at H.M. Patterson and Son -Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. A Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at 2 pm Saturday, September 12, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1350 Hearst Drive NE.