Robert Allen May

Robert Allen (Bob) May passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Houston, Texas, on December 7, 1938, to Doyle Miles and Gladys (Crites) May. He was the second of five children.

As a boy growing up in Houston, Bob enjoyed riding his bicycle and delivering newspapers on his paper route. One day, he rode over a levee and into the bayou, wrecking his bicycle in the process. The accident left him injured and required him to explain the mishap to his mother. Needless to say, that marked the end of his cycling days.

Bob attended boarding school at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, during his high school years. He often said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. Culver instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for discipline, hard work, and education, along with a deep and enduring affection for the school. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Bob was also a formidable athlete, particularly in boxing.

Following graduation from Culver, Bob attended Rice University, but his passion for boxing soon eclipsed his interest in academics. He became the Texas heavyweight Golden Gloves champion and came within one fight of competing against Cassius Clay. Unfortunately, a headbutt split his eyebrow and prevented him from continuing. Throughout his life, Bob often wondered what might have happened had he gotten the chance to step into the ring with The Greatest!

Bob met the love of his life, the petite 5-foot-2-inch Lou Adele Dorrell, over a cup of sugar. After finally mustering the courage to ask her on a date, Bob discovered that Lou Adele had one condition before accepting his marriage proposal: he had to return to college and finish his degree. He agreed, earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston, and the two never looked back. They shared 65 wonderful years of marriage.

After college, Bob joined his father’s aluminum extrusion business. Eventually, he and his family moved to Beeville, Texas, where, following several years of farming and ranching, he founded May Fabricating Co., Inc. The company manufactured steel containers for the waste industry and became a major employer in Beeville. Bob was also the holder of several patents. After a successful career, he retired and devoted his time to traveling and ranching.

Bob loved the outdoors and was the ultimate outdoorsman. His many passions included fishing, hunting, snow skiing, scuba diving, and boating. He also loved to cook and entertain friends, and his legendary Super Bowl parties were always memorable for the delicious meals and snacks he prepared. He loved his Labrador Retrievers, appreciated a good joke, a glass of cheap red wine, and loved to travel, especially when the destination involved his boat.

Those who knew Bob will remember his kindness, generosity, quiet and thoughtful demeanor, and occasional witty remark. Above all, Bob—affectionately known as Grandpa—loved his family deeply and treasured the lasting friendships he built throughout his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Gladys May; his brothers, James May and George May; his sisters, Judy Schauer and Ruth Mills; and his eldest son, Doyle May.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lou Adele May; his son, Alex May (Tonya); his daughter, Laura Miller (Myles); and his grandchildren, Miles May, Samuel May, Hannah Stein (Chance), Michael May (Sofia), and Alessandra Miller.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 30th, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Beeville.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the First United Methodist Church in Beeville, with Pastor Bethany Santos officiating.

Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Belinda Munoz, Lisa Kaul, Jamie Sells, Braulio Gomez and Bobby Johnson, for the exceptional care, kindness, and support they provided to Bob and his family.

Flowers are welcome. Memorial contributions may also be made in Bob's honor to the Culver Educational Foundation