ROBERT CARL MAY, SR.
April 25, 1936, to March 5, 2025
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Robert's Obituary

MAY, Robert Carl, 88 years old, of Oklahoma City, OK died unexpectedly and peacefully at home on March 5th, 2025. Bob was born in Richardsville, OK (Near Checotah, OK at the time) on April 25th, 1936 to Virgil Roy and Susie Mae May. He was the oldest and last remaining of five (5) children. The family (just one child, Bob, at that time) moved to Bakersfield, California in the late 1930's to find work and remained there until after the conclusion of WWII. They then returned back to Oklahoma (with now 3 children) towards the end of the 1940s and took up residence in a small home in Britton (NW OKC), OK. Bob attended Junior high school at the old Britton High School while the original John Marshall High School was under construction. John Marshall opened in 1950 and he entered as part of the first freshman class and graduated in 1954. During his freshman year he met my mother, LaWanda May (Smith). They were both about 14 at the time and her family only lived about 2 blocks east of his. He asked her to a basketball game and the “rest is history” as they say. They married in November of 1954 when they were both 18. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at their beloved Mosaic Community Church surrounded by many family and friends. His beloved wife and soulmate, LaWanda “Wan”, passed in July of 2020. In 2023, Bob re-married the second “love-of-his-life”, Yvonne Roberts, a long time family church friend. They had known each other and their families for over 40 years prior. Yvonne had lost her own husband only a few years before as well. After a little “shove” by Yvonne's daughter Gwenda, Bob and Yvonne found they had so much and common and started doing things together and with their church friends. It was obvious they were meant to be together and all could see that they were like “two kids in high school” again. The May family is so blessed and thankful to the entire Roberts family for accepting Bob into their family and loving and caring for him so well. Bob followed his father Virgil into the home building and carpentry trade. He quickly became a respected and sought after contractor specializing in new home construction and remodeling in central Oklahoma for some of OKC and Edmond's finest communities. He was naturally gifted with his hands and could build and fix anything as per his family. Bob ended his long career working with Kent Hoffman Construction for many years as a job supervisor while still doing other projects with his own construction company. Family was first and foremost in his life and he was always there when needed in any capacity. He always made sure his family was safe and cared for regardless of what it took to make that happen. Bob was very proud of his Native American heritage as an official member of the Chickasaw Nation which he has passed down to his children, grandchildren and great grand children. His family is very grateful to the Nation for their support and assistance. Especially Summer and Stormy at the Chickasaw Elder Center in OKC. He was preceded in death by his first wife LaWanda “Wan” May, his mother and father, Virgil and Susie and all of his younger siblings, Judy, Jerry, Fred and Beverly. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne Roberts, his son Rob May and wife Jaye, his daughter Cindy Lewis and husband Ellis Ray (all of Edmond, OK). He was a loving and special “PaPaw” to his seven (7) grandchildren and eight (8) great grandchildren, Jennifer May (Logan), Jessica Jean and husband Jacob (Grayson and Jayden), Stacie Lewis (Brayden), E. Ray Lewis and wife Taylor (Madelyn), Sarah Brown and husband Josh (Lucas and Caleb), Jarred Lewis and wife Liz and Kyle Lewis and wife Katherine. In addition, he dearly loved and adored his second family on the Roberts' side including Yvonne's children Gwenda Sharp (Brett), Andrew Roberts (Sarah), Megan Roberts and their families.



Bob often would comment that he was baffled as to “why he was still here?”. His family genetics did not align with his nearly 89 years of life. All of his family, immediate and extended, know “why”. He was special, loving, caring, kind, giving, loyal, honest to a fault, witty, talented in so many ways, strong in his faith, and simply the best dad/step-dad, husband and “PaPaw” there ever was. Services for Bob are pending at this time and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations can be made to : Ice Angels Ministry or Mobile Meals c/o Mosaic Community Church, 3131 NW 50th, OKC, OK 73112 (website at http://www.mosaicokc.org) phone 405-942-5929