Thomas Lamar May

Thomas Lamar May, Jr. of Dallas, GA passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 at the age of 84, after a brief illness.

Lamar was born June 8, 1941 in Montgomery, AL to parents Thomas Lamar May, Sr. and Eva Pearl Jones. He spent much of his childhood in Clark County, and had many fond memories of spending time with his sister, cousins, and grandparents on their farm and watching his dad work the locks on the Tombigbee River.

He loved music of all kinds and joined the band in middle school. He played trumpet in the marching bands of Robert E. Lee High School and Auburn University, where he also played French Horn for the concert band.

At Auburn, he studied engineering and, after graduating, moved to Marietta, GA to take a job with Lockheed, where he worked in the engineering department until his retirement in 2002.

Lamar loved his family. He attended every game, concert, troop meeting, and play his children were in, and even coached girls’ softball for 10 years. He loved visiting with family in Montgomery and went to Clark County as often as he could. His greatest joy in life were his grandchildren. They called him Pop, and he loved playing with them and teaching them new things. He was so proud to watch them grow into fine young men.

He had many hobbies over the years, including classic cars, music, painting, Auburn football, and photography. He was a part time professional photographer for 25 years, focusing mainly on children’s sports team pictures and weddings.

After 37 years as a clean cut, suit-wearing Lockheed engineer, in retirement, he embarked on a more magical career. From formal engagements, like Santa on the Marietta Square, to happenstance meetings in grocery store aisles and restaurants, for the rest of his life, children everywhere delighted in talking to him and walking away with a photo card that said, “I Met Santa”.

He was a long-time member of West Metro Church of Christ. He loved God, his family, his friends, and his community.

In addition to his parents, Lamar was preceded in death by his son, Derek; and his Brother-in-Law, Jim Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Cindy (Steve) Salyers of Dallas; son, David (Sue) Hayes of Orlando, FL; sister, Lorraine Russell of Montgomery, AL; 3 grandsons, Evan Hayes, Dylan May, Ethan May; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 18th from 6-8 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home, 2480 Macland Rd Marietta, GA. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 19th at 2 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Mountain View Park Cemetery, 410 Whitlock Ave NW Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Lamar’s memory to West Metro Church of Christ, or the charity of your choice.