Farewell Pat May

Patrick Joseph May passed away on December 16, 2022.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 24, 1929. Pat enlisted in the Air Force while attending his first year of college at St, Mary’s in Minnesota where he served from 1948 – 1952.  He married his wife of 69 years – Betty- in 1950 and settled at Wichita Falls at Sheppard AFB.  While in the Air Force, Pat specialized as an aircraft mechanic and instructor.  His trade and passion for aircraft took him to Vought Aircraft Corp. in Dallas where he had the opportunity to work on some of the most famous fighter planes of that period, including his favorite, the F8 Crusader.  With a growing family at home, Pat decided to continue his education and took a position at Texas Instruments while attending night school at Arlington State College where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in mathematics.  He spent the remainder of his career at TI’s Central Research laboratory where he contributed to the infrared technology development that was deployed on projects such as Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 deep space exploration probes, as well as the Hubble telescope.  After retirement he volunteered as an aircraft mechanic at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison where he maintained vintage WWII aircraft and was a member of a restoration team that rebuilt and conducted a cross country flight of a vintage PT-19 Cornell “Rosalie” that remains on display at the museum.  He was an avid reader, enjoying science, history and technical fiction.  In spite of his success, he was a very humble and kind man with a big heart and a caking to serve.  His priorities were his family and his Catholic faith.  His time with the Knight of Columbus will be remember by his big smile and his quick wit.  He could deliver a “zinger” with the best of them.  He was Director of Church Activities for many years keeping the Council abreast of upcoming event involving the Church.   He served as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Boy Scouts, and served as the equipment manager and president of his dive club.  Pat was the head usher (as they were called back then), at Holy Spirit Church making sure there were an adequate number at each Mass and directing their actions.  Pat is preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty, his first born son, Patrick III, his parents, sister, and brother.  He is survived by his remaining children, Mary Hayes (husband Steve), Teresa Barnard (husband Jody), Tim May (wife Kathy), and Susan May, as well as 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  Rest in Peace old Friend.