Gerald Edwin May

Funeral services for Gerald E. May will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California at 10:00a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Visitation will be on Tuesday Evening, July 19, 2011, from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. On October 26, 1933, Gerald was born to Ernest Coy May and Stella Uhles May in Leachville, Arkansas. He spent his young and formative years in that small farming community. However, like so many others during that difficult period in history, his father and mother moved the family to California and settled in Bakersfield. Gerald graduated from Bakersfield High School, Class of 1951. He served in United States Army in Germany from 1953 to 1955. Upon his return home, he enrolled in and successfully completed the Carpenters Apprentice Program. Thereafter, he worked closely with his father in the building trade. Under strict supervision of his father, Gerald became a skilled craftsman, honing his skills to the point of perfection that earned him his Contractor's License. Gerald E. May then became a builder of fine custom homes in Bakersfield. On March 26, 1983, Gerald E. May and June Edwards Browder were married, blending their two families. He built a home for himself and June and his now widowed mother Stella. It was a very harmonious arrangement. Gerald and June lived briefly in Santa Barbara when Gerald was building custom homes for his cousin. Sometime later June and Gerald moved to Austin, Texas with Gerald overseeing tenant improvement work for a large complex. They eventually returned to Bakersfield to live. Gerald, once again, built a home for them. Since they both loved traveling, they bought a motor home. They spent many happy hours in that motor home, often going over to one of their favorite recreation spots...Pismo Beach. They also traveled back to his childhood home in Leachville, stopping in various states along the way to visit family members. Gerald's greatest enjoyment came from golfing with his son Darryll and his other golfing buddies, watching sporting events on television (especially NASCAR and the St. Louis Cardinals) and above all else, the family's annual gathering at their home on Christmas Eve. Our precious Gerald has now gone to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where he will be reunited with loved ones who predeceased him: his father, Coy May; his mother, Stella May; his son, Steven Browder; his brothers-in-law, Phil Cerro, W.A. Edwards, Del Livengood, and Ray Rose; his sisters-in-law, Margaret Rone, Rowena Edwards and Mary Rose. Those left behind to mourn his passing are his wife, June Edwards May; his son, Darryll May; his daughters, Karen May and Brenda Keyser; his grandchildren; Justin Dunn, Mike Garcia, Arien Roher, Sarah Dunn, Brynnan May, Kayela Dunn, Cooper May and Wayne Hardin; his great-grandchildren: Austin Dunn, Payton James, Carter Garcia, Colten Parker, Katelyn Stephens, Cody Hardin, Spencer Hardin and Logan Hardin. Also left to mourn him are sons Mark Browder and Greg Browder and Greg's wife Sheri; his grandsons, Gregory Browder and Thomas Browder; granddaughters, Cassidy Browder and Katelyn Browder; and one great-granddaughter, Liliana Browder. Gerald also leaves a very special and beloved sister, Vivian May Patterson and her husband Bob, and their two daughters Kim Patterson Terrell (and her husband Eddie) and Robin Patterson. Also, he leaves two very dear aunts Ruby Yancey and Ruby Uhles. He Leaves a brother-in-law, Don Edwards and Don's wife Gwen; sisters-in-law, Sharron Livengood and Jonnie Cerro. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. A Bridge Called Love It takes us back to brighter years, To happier sunlight days And to precious moments That will be with us always. And these fond recollections Are treasured in the heart To bring us always close to those From whom we had to part. There is a bridge of memories From earth to Heaven above... It keeps our dear ones near us. It's the bridge that we call love. ~Author Unknown The family of Gerald E. May would like to express our sincere gratitude for the compassionate care extended to him by the doctors, nurses and staff members at San Joaquin Hospital. Glenwood Gardens, Optimal Hospice and Caregiver Amy.