Lucian Fennell May

1922 - 2016

Lucian Fennell May

Lucian Fennell May, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret), 93, of Quincy, died peacefully at his home on July 4, 2016. To family and friends he was Fennell, but to us he is Daddy.

Daddy was born at home on October 9, 1922 to Lucian Lawrence Mitchell May and Ettie Shelfer May. He attended Quincy schools and graduated from Quincy High School in 1940. He loved the outdoors and spent many days hunting and fishing on the family farm. Daddy then began his college career at the University of Florida where he was a member and president of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. His education was interrupted by WWII, and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He was deployed to the South Pacific where he served in the military police on Okinawa. When the war ended, he was training to participate in the planned invasion of Japan. After the war Daddy went back to UF and completed his degree in Animal Husbandry in 1947. When he returned to Quincy he worked for May Tobacco Company and met and married our mother, Yvonne Wimberley, originally of Bainbridge. They started their family with one daughter in 1950. In March of 1951 he was called up from the Marine Corps Reserves to go to Korea. Daddy was promoted to captain and put in charge of Charlie Company, a rifle company. He came back home in April of 1953. Daddy eventually became the manager of the Agricultural Soil and Conservation Service for Gadsden County. He also bought a farm and raised shade tobacco, row crops and cows. Daddy and Mama went on to add another daughter and two sons to their family. Daddy also stayed in the Marine Corps Reserves and in 1972 retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Daddy accomplished many things in his life, but the most important thing he accomplished was being a good man. He was a friend to many and always treated everyone, no matter who they were or where they came from, with kindness and respect. We have never heard him speak ill of anyone, even if circumstances may have warranted it. We watched Daddy take care of Mama as she disappeared into Alzheimer's with patience and love until her death. Daddy also met all the struggles of old age without complaint. He was dedicated to his family, church, and friends. He served many years in the First Presbyterian Church as a deacon and elder. There was no possession that could be purchased that could give him any more happiness than to have all his family together at one time or to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico at Emerald Crest. Happiness was in the simple things like seeing a newborn baby calf, walking the pasture saying "Hey, baby" to his cows, gazing across a pretty field of corn, or seeing a hawk perched in the top of a tree. Daddy loved the Marine Corps, the Florida Gators, Big Band music, and a good party.

Daddy was predeceased by our mother, Yvonne Wimberley May; our brother, Lucian Mitchell May; and his sister, Marjorie May Loggins. He is survived by us, his children, Mary Katherine May Faircloth and husband, Neal, of Quincy; Jane Wimberley May McDonald and husband, Mike, of Albany, GA; and Joseph Perry May and wife, Karen, of Quincy. He is also survived by his daughter in law, Barbara May of Quincy and one niece, May Loggins James, of Pensacola, FL. Daddy also leaves six grandchildren, Christopher Faircloth of Akron, OH, Timothy Faircloth of Raleigh, NC, Rebecca McDonald and Katherine McDonald of Albany, GA, and Josie May and Perry May of Quincy.

We want to thank all his caregivers, both past and present, for all their love and care shown to Daddy over the years. Love and appreciation goes to Eunice Condry, Lonnie Taylor, Susan Franks, Shirley Sheffield, Yolanda Allen, and Candace Hill. Daddy's quality of life was made better because of them.

We also want to thank Dr. Mark Newberry and his staff and the staff of Massey Drugs.

So, Daddy, we hope you could hear Bunny Berigan playing the introduction to I Can't Get Started on his trumpet before you saw the gates and entered to the welcome of all who love you. There should be a crowd! As you say, we have now moved to the front of the line. We love you and will see you soon.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Presbyterian Church, Quincy, FL or the Mitchell May Memorial Scholarship c/o Decatur County 4-H, 101 Ag Lane, Bainbridge, GA 39817.

Visitation will be today, Wednesday, July 6, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Sawano Country Club in Quincy. Services will be Thursday, July 7, 2016, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, with interment to follow with full Military Honors, at Old Philadelphia Church Cemetery.

Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy, FL., (850) 627-7677, is in charge of arrangements.