Arthur Edmund May "Eddie"'s Obituary
Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}True Texan Arthur Edmund May, “Eddie,” was born to Herbert and Marjorie May on April 13, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. He was raised in San Antonio and was a true Texan, full of energy and big ideas. “You never knew what he was going to do next,” his older sister, Fran, recalled. She noted that Eddie wanted to “fly” off the roof of the house as a child, and tried, unsuccessfully. His wild side also saw him riding broncos in his high school years, unbeknownst to his mother. In San Antonio, Eddie directed much of that energy into sports. He was a successful baseball player, and despite a smaller stature, was an aggressive football player in Junior High. Eddie also gleaned, from his Texas days, a dedicated love for the Longhorns, which lasted a lifetime. The Transition YearsEddie joined the Army, married for the first time and had his son, Chad. When Chad was two, Eddie’s marriage ended and he moved to Nashville to be with his mother and assist in caring for his ailing father. Following his time in the Army, Eddie was trained by his brother-in-law in the Sewer and Drain field. With this training, Eddie worked for Mr. Rotter, then Music City Sewer and Drain, by whom he was employed for almost 30 years. While in Nashville, Eddie lived up on the hilltop from Hot Stop Convenience. He made a habit of frequenting the store to talk and flirt with the manager, Winnie. His persistence finally paid off, despite her wishes that he would just go home and leave her alone. Their first date was to the cinema, watching Bette Midler in The Rose. Ironically, this was later followed by Apocalypse Now. Shortly thereafter the two talked of marriage. “If I were to get married again, it’s for life,” said Winnie. “That’s okay with me,” was Eddie’s reply and they visited the judges’ house and formed their union. The Larger FamilyEddie and Winnie instantly had a large family; five children, and later, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family became a source of great joy for Eddie. With family he enjoyed fishing, trips to the cabin in Gatlinburg and backyard football games. The children recall how Eddie would hang them upside like monkeys or spend hours trying to tickle them. When Eddie would return home, always in cowboy boots, Eddie would ask one of the grandchildren to help him take off his boots. This was a request to help with the socks. “Now smell them…are they still good for tomorrow!” Such was Eddie’s way of bringing laughter into the household every day. Favorite Pastimes: Peanut Butter and FootballWhen asked about Eddie’s favorite pastimes and what he enjoyed, the response of family was unanimous: Peanut Butter and Football. Eddie loved his peanut butter. Eddie finished each day with a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk. He could be spotted eating it by the spoonful when passing through the kitchen. When the family gathered for holiday meals, Eddie was often found by the television, peanut butter sandwich in hand, watching the football game. Televised football occupied much of his time. When the family enjoyed the activities of the cabin during vacation, this avid Longhorns fan enjoyed the relaxation of watching football. Knowing EddieEddie was a quiet man; not social, but liked by everyone. He was selfless and put others before him in many ways. His love for his family, and especially his wife, was evident in the manner in which he tried to be there for them, even throughout his illness. Eddie’s family did not really consider him a spiritual man, but he was baptized along with his grandchild, read his Bible and attended church. He supported the church, and the youth in the church, by driving them to many events on the bus. To all of the youth he was “Paw Paw,” a nickname that extended beyond his own grandchildren and great grandchildren to many in the community. In 1997, Eddie went with Promise Keepers and joined in the Million Man March. This event was a turning point in his life. Eddie enjoyed the company of dogs throughout much of his life. Despite not wanting a dog, these four-legged companions, favorites being Prissy and Abby, brought out an intimacy in Eddie that he could not always share with others. A Selfless LegacyEddie fought his cancer, disguising his own discomfort, primarily to be able to take care of his Winnie. When the pain became too much, and Winnie assured him she would be okay, he finally allowed himself a peaceful rest at the hospice. Arthur Edmund May passed away at the age of 67, on September 20, 2012. He is survived by his wife Winnie M. May, son Chad (Jenny) May, brother Rusty May, sister Fran (Larry) Vaden, step children Becky (Pete) Shirley, Greg (April) Megibben, Malcolm (Cathy) Megibben, Michael (Angie) Megibben, 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
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