Richard Edwin May

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Edwin May on Friday, April 18th, 2025 at the age of 81. Our beloved father passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones. He lived his life to the fullest, building decks, listening to good ol’ country music, dancing in honkey tonks and spending time with his family. However, his favorite pastime was dancing with his beautiful wife Daisy, which they are now waltzing together on the clouds of Heaven.

Richard Edwin May (Dick) was born on November 29, 1943 to the parents of William and Pearletta May in Murray City, Utah. Dick was raised in Salt Lake City in a loving home alongside his brother, Robert May and sister, Kathleen Oliver. He attended West High School and took courses in drafting, played the drums in the jazz band, and attended a service school on land surveying. Shortly after high school Dick proudly served his country by joining the United States Marine Core. Stationed at the 29 Palms in California is where he met his first wife Lyn in 1964, and shortly after they were married in 1965. Over the next 13 years Dick and Lyn resided in both California and Utah. Their family grew as they had 5 children; Shannon, Kimberley, Kathleen, Wesley and Amanda. During these years he raised quarter horses, loved to hunt, enjoyed camping, and took trips to Disneyland. Dick’s favorite pastime was spending time with family at their cabin at the North Fork of the Duchesne River. He loved to go trout fishing, hike the mountain trails, and tell stories by the campfire. It was there at the Defa’s Dude Ranch that he and his brother Bob ran the trail horses and he played the drums in a band. Dick loved building and drawing up plans and eventually owned his own construction company. While in Utah, Dick and Lyn drifted apart and ended up divorcing in 1977.

Dick met his soulmate Shirley (Daisy) who became the love of his life. They married on June 3, 1978. Daisy had 3 children from her previous marriage. Not only did Dick get a new love in his life, he also gained 2 bonus sons, Melvin and Chris, and 1 bonus daughter, Tresa and was loved by all of Daisy’s children. Dick now had a total of 8 children. It wasn’t long after that Dick and Daisy relocated to Texas.

Dick continued his love for building, doing everything from residential to commercial, to fencing. During this time both Dick and Daisy were also traveling around the world running their jewelry business in Sarah Coventry, and eventually joined Contempo Fashions. Dick had a huge love for Waylon Jennings and the Dallas Cowboys. He and Daisy wouldn’t pass up the chance to see any of the great country music artists or party at the Dallas Cowboys football stadium. Dick and Daisy moved to Canyon Lake, and it was there that he started his business, Dick’s Decks and became well known for his unique, one of a kind decks. Dick and Daisy were also well known at Gruene Hall where they would be the envy of others as they sang and waltzed across the dance floor.

Our father was a man of many talents and also wrote several Cowboy poetry books under the handle, R. Badillion Tuhern. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren out at his home bar singing songs, up at the Cabin telling stories with the ‘talking stick’, watching cowboy games and taking trips to Gruene Hall.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Shannon May, Kim Bohannon (Cassidy), Kathy Dhanowa, (Roger), and son, Wesley May (Sonia), daughter, Amanda Howry (Shane) and Bonus children, Melvin Koonce (Christin), Tresa Johnson (Brett), and Chris Koonce (Cathy); 23 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley May, brother, Bob May, sister, Kathy Oliver and his parents, Bill and Pearletta May.

“This is where the Cowboy rides away”

~George Straight

Please join our family for one or all of the following:

Military Graveside Service: Friday, July 11th at 11:15 am, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Reception to Follow

Celebration of Life: Sunday, July 13th at 3:00 pm, to the music of Bret Graham at Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, Texas.