Lt. Col. Allen L. May, U.S. Air Force, Retired, died Oct. 9, 2003, after a short illness. He was born Aug. 17, 1923, in Aberdeen. After living in Seattle for a short time, his family moved to Portland, Ore., where he graduated from Franklin High School.

His Air Force career began when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942; he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1944. Assigned to the 34th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, Al flew 15 combat missions over Europe and was discharged in 1945. After graduating from the University of Oregon he married Valerie Smiley in 1949 with whom he had nine children and devoted his love and commitment for 46 years.

Al was recalled to active duty as a second lieutenant in 1951 and flew 50 missions over Korea in the B-26. A career of 23 years total in the military took him to Nebraska, Oklahoma, Germany, Kansas, California and Austin, Texas, where he retired. Al was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters for his combat flights, and the Air Force Commendation Medal for duty as a B-47 aircraft commander. He was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. His last Air Force assignment at Bergstrom Air Force Base was chief of procurement.

Al began a second career with the state of Texas as an auditor in the Food Stamp Office and as the procurement director for the Parks and Wildlife Department. Al and Val moved to Oak Harbor in 1988 to enjoy a retirement spent crabbing, gardening and playing bridge. After the death of his wife in 1995, Al divided his time between his home on Dugualla Bay and his winter apartment in Arizona. He turned into quite a good cook and approached this new hobby with the same practical zeal that he displayed in all of his endeavors.

As a generous and giving man, Al volunteered his time preparing taxes for senior citizens both in Oak Harbor and Sun City for many years. He regularly donated to the many charities that reflected his passion and commitment to the earth and his fellow man.

His character reflected honesty, goodwill and compassion. His boisterous growl highlighted his playful humor and sarcastic wit that carefully hid his sensitivity and caring nature for humanity. As a lifelong Democrat, he supported the underdog. He spent his life as an ardent conservationist, a passion he cultivated throughout his life hiking, camping, fishing and enjoying a good drink before the campfire. He supported many organizations such as the Sierra Club. He was a member of St. Augustine’s Church in Oak Harbor and played couples bridge at the Senior Center.

Al is survived by his sister, Anna Youngren of Portland, Ore., and his nine children: Catherine Daniel of Austin, Texas; David James May and Col. (USAF) Mary Margaret May of Denver; Carolyn May of Austin, Texas; Anita May Roberts of San Antonio, Texas; Patricia May, Thomas Allen May, Clifton Joseph May, and Richard Carl May of Austin, Texas.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Sarah Frances Hellickson of New York City, David Allen Daniel, Ashley Alex May, Catherine Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, Christopher Allen May, Kinsey Lynn May and Valerie Katharine May of Austin, Texas; and Anna May Roberts of San Antonio, Texas.

We will miss our kind and generous father and grandfather. His children’s spouses, Charles Roberts, Renee May, Robin McGary May, and Kelli May are also deeply moved by his passing. Allen had many wonderful friends and neighbors who, too, will miss this terrific man.

A memorial mass followed by military honors was held Oct. 14 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to the Sierra Club or the American Cancer Society.