John Darrell May

1939 - 2025

John Darrell May, 86, of Owensboro passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of W. Kentucky. The Danville native was born Oct. 16, 1939, as the eldest son of William and Ione May. He grew up in Bardstown and graduated from Bardstown High School. Darrell was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served 20 years. He was a Master Sergeant working in radio communications spending time in the Philippines, Alaska, Greenland, Japan, Hawaii, Greece and other bases around the world. Darrell was proud to have been a linebacker for his Air Force football team.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, Darrell attended the University of Louisville Speed School with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked as a Process Engineer with Celwave Technologies in Elizabethtown before moving to Owensboro and working in the insurance business. Darrell sold insurance and annuities with John Worth and Stonebridge Insurance companies before retiring in 2024 with LifeMark Securities as a Financial Planner.
Darrell loved NASCAR racing, especially his Daytona trip with his son-in-law, Jerry, which he never stopped talking about. Always a University of Kentucky basketball fan (and sometime football fan), he watched many games. Darrell enjoyed driving his van, taking numerous Florida excursions and even taking his in-laws on a big trip out west. He liked golfing and was an avid reader. Darrell will be remembered as a true southern gentleman always opening doors for the ladies first and saying "please and thank you" to everyone he knew, even in his last days. His eye rolls, funny quips, made up words and sentences were legendary. "Here we go walking through the bloom again." Darrell was a longstanding member of Bellevue Baptist Church, the Rotary Club International, and the VFW.
In addition to his parents, Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Carol White May; a son, Brian May; sisters, Jean F. May and Maribeth May Stork.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara Stewart May; a daughter, Sharon Paulson (Eric) of Illinois; stepdaughters, Dianna Mattingly (Jerry) and Jeana Bamberger (Ron); four grandchildren, Paige Paulson, Jessie Horsley (Garrett), Jaxson Mattingly and Sarah Benitez; a great-grandchild, Jovi Horsley; and siblings, Anne M. Hamilton (John) of Bardstown and William A. May of Lexington.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the Heartford House and private sitters, Kelli, Vanessa, Candace, Lisa, Bebe, and Keely for the excellent care and compassion they provided.
A private family burial took place at the Bardstown City Cemetery on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Heartford House, c/o Hospice and Palliative Care of W. Kentucky, 3400 Wathen's Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.