Eugene John May
MAY, BLOXHAM, PHILLIPS
Posted By: Susan Carpenter (email)
Date: 7/2/2011 at 14:12:05
April 26, 1919 — June 25, 2011
Eugene J. May was born April 26, 1919, in Waukon, Iowa.
He was the son of John C. and Eugenia Phillips May. He was raised in Waukon, where he attended St. Patrick’s School. In September of 1940, he joined the U.S. Cavalry. In December of 1940, he married Betty LaVonne Bloxham.
In the summer of 1941, the troops rode on horseback from Ft. Riley, Kan., to the Rio Grande to settle a border dispute. For that service, Eugene received the American Defense Ribbon. This border dispute turned out to be the final mission of the Horse Cavalry, which then became the 9th Armored Division.
Eugene spent two years in Kansas, training new recruits for warfare, and in late 1944, he was sent overseas. His unit immediately engaged in the Battle of the Bulge. So quickly were they dispatched, the soldiers didn’t even have time to get their winter clothes. This band of soldiers became known as “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne.”
Eugene earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his efforts at the Battle of the Bulge. He came home on June 23, 1945.
Eugene, Betty and their three girls moved to Corvallis in 1948. After moving to Corvallis, they had three more girls. He built them all a beautiful two-story home with oak hardwood floors that he installed one board at a time. Eugene was employed as a roofer and heavy machinery mechanic. His family describes him as a hard worker and a good provider — he worked very hard all of his life to provide for his family.
He enjoyed gardening and hunting, and was devoted to his religion. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals, particularly hound dogs — he was a “dog rescuer” long before it became an everyday term. He could fix anything, and he was always ready to help anyone. That includes all those who considered him their second father.
Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Leo, James, Robert and Jerome; and four sisters, Marcella Fencl, Mary Smith, Catherine May and Teresa May.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty May; his daughters, Dorothy Craver, Joyce Beemer, Janet Burgess, Nancy May, Mona Goetzinger and Nina Dornhecker; eight grandchildren, Beth, Teresa, Gwen, Ronald, Darren, Dustin, John and Aaron; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Esther Smith of Waukon, Patricia Tucker of Waterloo, Iowa, Hazel Morin of Prineville, and Joan (Keith) Ewing of Albany; sisters-in-law Norma May, Helen May and Joan Beckner; and many, many nieces and nephews. His family loved him very much.
Private services will take place at a later date. Online condolences can be made via www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.
Eugene John May
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