L. Michael May of Huntsville passed away peacefully Dec. 2 at Huntsville Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 79 years old. During his life Mike was a soldier, a sailor, a professional musician, an artist, a darts champion, a fisherman and a competitive Bar B Que cook. He was considered a Renaissance man by those who knew him. As good as he was at all of those hobbies and activities, he was an even better husband, father, brother and grandfather. Mike was born April 1, 1942, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He graduated from Butler High School in 1960. After graduation, Mike became a session musician in Muscle Shoals, where he played the bass guitar and sang, backing many popular recording artists of that era. He also played in several professional Rock and R&B bands around Alabama. A lifelong patriot, Mike volunteered for military service in the early days of the Vietnam war. He deployed with the 1st Aviation Brigade as a helicopter crewman and fought in four different campaigns, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mike was awarded the Air Medal with Combat Valor device, the Army Commendation Medal with Combat Valor device, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross among several other decorations. Following the war, Mike was recruited into an intelligence role with the US Naval Reserve, all while earning his BS from the University of North Alabama, as well as a master’s degree from Troy State. The Navy commissioned Mike as an officer, and he continued intelligence work during the Cold War, rising to the rank of Commander before retiring from the Navy in 1992. In civilian life, Mike was in law enforcement, serving as the district supervisor and head of North Alabama parole and probation offices. He retired from law enforcement in 1998. During retirement, Mike remained an active member of the community. He reconnected with music, playing bass in two different Huntsville-area R&B bands, Church Street and Time Machine which he co- founded. He was a champion darts player in local leagues and competed in several Bar B Que tournaments with his brothers. He served on the board of directors for the Huntsville Community Ballet and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club. Mike was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas Quinn May and James Carter May, and his parents, Louie Whittle May and Frances Quinn May. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan Marcus May; his son, Brett Michael May (Elizabeth) of Palo Alto, CA; his daughter, Robin May Seale (Michael) of Birmingham; granddaughters, Piper May, Molly May and May Louise Seale; his brother, Kenneth May; and host of nieces and nephews. Mike’s love of music, the arts, cooking, the outdoors, and Alabama football contributed to his unique personality and added to his immense passion for life. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, December 6th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with the funeral immediately following in the chapel. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Still Serving Veterans of Huntsville, Community Ballet Association or Temple B’nai Sholom.
