Gerald Ray May, Sr. passed away Saturday evening, July 18, 2009 at Sumner Regional Medical Center. He was a retired farmer and a long time Wellington resident.

Gerald Ray May was born on July 5, 1934 in rural Winfield, KS to Ray May and Jessie (Chapman) May. Gerald was a Wellington High School graduate with the Class of 1952.

Gerald and Dawn (Cairns) May were married in Miami, OK on Saturday, July 28, 1956. At that time you had to have a blood test before you got married. They just made it to the Courthouse in time to get their license and blood test. After that they found a First Baptist Church where the pastor was able to marry them. The pastor and his girlfriend were witnesses to the marriage. Gerald took Dawn to Texas to the Gulf of Mexico for their honeymoon where they had a great time. Except for the two years that Gerald was in the Army in Leesville, LA, they lived their life in Wellington. They would have been married 53 years on July 28, 2009.

Gerald farmed wheat in Sumner County from 1956 until 2006. He enjoyed buying and selling livestock. Every Wednesday he was at sale day at the Winfield Livestock Company. He spent many wonderful hours fishing and hunting with family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tony May.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Dawn May of Wellington; two sons, A. J. May and his wife Shelly and Mark May both of Wellington; one daughter, Debbie May of Wellington; one brother, Rolan May of Wellington; three grandchildren, Jeremy May, Crystal May and Zane May; nephews, Steve, Brian and Jim May; and niece, Joyce Coker.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Southern Baptist Church. Pastor Phil Wylie will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. The casket will remain closed.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.