Loy D. May

Loy David May, an upbeat and kind man reached the end of his 94-year journey on August 28, 2025.Loy was born in a house behind his grandfather’s country store in McGee, Missouri on July 31, 1931, and spent most of his youthful days in Southeast Missouri.

As a young boy in Puxico, Missouri, Loy first met Janet Glenn, and became smitten with the beautiful young lady. The childish hijinks of hair pulling and teasing became a lifelong love affair. Loy and Janet were married on October 28 of 1950. During their 62 years of marriage they raised five children on a small farm on the edge of Edwardsville, Illinois. From the moment they met until Janet’s passing, their love and devotion to one another was inspiring for all who were lucky enough to witness it.

He was a modest man who carried his life achievements with dignity and grace. But the topic that he was so very proud of, the chapter of his life that he loved sharing with others was the role he had on the 1949 Missouri State Champions, playing as a guard and serving as the captain for the Puxico Indians’ basketball team.Quoting from the book, “My Name is Mr. Ryan,” written about the excellence of the team: “No team in American high school sports history became such an attraction as did the Puxico, Missouri Indians between 1949 and 1953. In four years the Puxico team won 149 games while losing only 10, in the process winning two state championships and accelerating the changing nature of high school basketball, introducing the “fast break” to Missouri high school basketball, all carefully worked out in the confines of the unique Puxico log gymnasium.”

Loy also had a remarkable work ethic, spending 33 years as a dock hand, a proud Teamster, while employed at East Texas Motor Freight in St. Louis. During this time he also managed his 25 acre farm. Tending to all the needs to care for his cattle, one cherished milk cow, and varying species of livestock was no easy task. His huge vegetable garden required many hours of work, but he loved tilling the soil, growing things and cutting firewood, heating his home with trees cut from his property.Having no formal training in carpentry, Loy and his teenage boys built a 2,500 square foot home, and he constructed a barn for cattle management on his property as well.Never one to allow moss to grow under his feet, shortly after his retirement, Loy taught himself how to operate a computer before any of his five children owned a PC. His focus was researching and documenting family genealogy and history, long before Ancestry.com came along. With much diligence, including trips to cemeteries around the country, he was able to trace the family tree back to the Revolutionary War.He loved to travel, including annual vacations, driving to nearly every state in the country. He and his wife complimented their U.S. travels with a couple post-retirement European cruises.

His actions during Janet's final eight years of life exemplified the true meaning of a person with a good character. He lovingly cared for her numerous medical needs without a single complaint.

Upon Janet’s passing in 2012, he sold his home in Elsah, Illinois, and eventually landed at “The Villa Rose” in Bethalto, spending his last years enjoying his new life.

Arguably, he was the most engaged resident at “The Villa” participating in nearly every daily activity, everything from dominoes to card games. He could frequently be found shooting pool on any given morning. He was a popular guy at the senior facility, having a quick and infectious smile for all. Many of the residents enjoyed his love for feeding the birds that foraged in a rewarding display outside the dining room window.

He didn’t let his age deter his lifelong passion for nurturing growing things. He continued growing vegetables and flowers at “The Villa,” including milkweed clippings that he brought to his room when the Monarch butterfly caterpillars discovered a home to begin the larvae–to-butterfly process.

He continued the annual gardening practice, even when his mobility issues at 94 led to him watering the plants while seated in his electric scooter.

Proud to be a Teamster, Loy was a strong liberal Democrat, and remained informed about public policy. He never missed the opportunity to exercise his constitutional right to vote, frequently sporting a ballcap emblazoned with his choice of candidate, and always, always worn in the jauntily cocked, high-hat fashion.

Loy was preceded in death by his wife, Janet May; his parents, Sim and Pauline Fronabarger May; his eldest son, David May; his brother, Troy May; and his son-in-law, Kevin McCoy and his loving companion of seven years Pearl Murphy.

Mr. May is survived by his four children, Daniel (Carol) May, Douglas (Kimberly) May, Janelle McCoy, Melissa (Greg) Guerra, and his sister, Lucille Craig. He will be dearly missed by his 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

A graveside burial service will be on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 12:00 Puxico, Missouri cemetery followed by a luncheon at Casa Lopez in Puxico.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Puxico High School Basketball Program.