He attended local schools until the 3rd grade when his family moved to Borger, Texas where he completed high school and graduated in 1951. After finishing high school, he attended Frank Phillips Junior College in Borger. Charles obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at Canyon, Texas in 1956. He then took his Master’s degree in 1961 at Eastern New Mexico University. His previous teaching included Clovis University, Las Vegas, and at Ohio State University where he was conferred his first Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in 1967. He earned his second doctorate (EdD) in education in 1996 from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. It was during this time he became a member of MENSA. He completed a post doctorate fellowship at the University of Nebraska.
Charles served with the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. During this time, he earned the Expert Marksman badge. After discharged honorably, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army Corps Reserves.
During his career, he taught at different universities including North Texas State University in Denton, Texas and Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He spent the last thirty years as a professor at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He retired at the age of 78 and moved to Conroe, Texas to be with his wife, Barbara Ann, whom he had married in 1982.
His parents, Robert and Marguerite May; older brother, Robert May; and his baby sister, preceded Charles in death.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Ann May (née Bruce); his son, Dr. Randy May of Knoxville, Tennessee; his daughter, Kathryn Browning of Anchorage, Alaska; brothers, Dean May, Jerry May, Terry May and Dennis May; grandchildren, Carl May, Tomias Mark Anthony, Scott Browning, and Dr. Amanda Leuthold; and two great granddaughters, Murray May and Baker May.
The family extends special thanks to the nurses and staff of Village Green and Hope Beyond Hospice for their kindness and loving care in Charles’ final days.
A celebration of life for Charles will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas 77304 with a reception to follow.
Charles will be laid to rest in Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77305.
