May, Richard Bennett, 75, of Sun City Center, FL, fell asleep in the arms of his beloved wife and best friend, Carolyn, and awoke in the arms of Jesus on Sunday, September 13th. Born to Kendall and Ethel May on October 14, 1933, at Saginaw, MI, Dick began his life's wonderful journey throughout the United States, making lifelong friends wherever he went. Dick's May grandparents were always there to take him into their Circleville, OH home for some weeks to "ease the burdon of the family's move"--much to Dick's delight and accumulation of many happy memories. Dick's McIntosh grandparents were equally responsible to bring him to their farm every summer to "round out his childhood experiences" and share them with all his McIntosh first cousins! All the pleasures of living there in God's Country" in the Allegheny Mountains and on the Allegheny River made him full of love and enthusiasm. He attended schools in Midland, MI, Freeport, TX, and Baton Rouge, LA. His college years were started at LSU and interrupted by his military service in the AirForce, for which he received languages training in CA. After his honorable discharge, he completed his business degree at Eastern Michigan University and started his career as a sales representative for various companies in Indianapolis, IN, and Charlotte, NC, and retired to Sun City Center, FL.
Dick started this very special journey with his dad, mom, brother Stuart, loving wife Sheila, and loving wife Helyn, all of whom are now deceased and reunited with him in heaven. His survivors include his wife Carolyn, son Kendall (Ruthan), daughter Kelly (Wes), six grandchildren: Carson and Taylor Ramsey, Bennett and Cori May, and Karley and Kolton Wagner, sister-in-law Peg May, brother-in-law Gerald (Andree') Strutz, Aunt Adah Sidon, all of his very special "first cousins," many cherished nephews, nieces, additional family members, and countless terrific friends.
Dick was a most unusual child of God, one to be emulated. His life was filled with many reversals and challenges, exacerbated by Multiple Schlerosis and its many unwelcomed side-effects. Such negatives did not monopolize his mind because he was raised to be proud and strong and he knew God's will was to be a blessing to others. We will never know of all his challenges--he never shared many of them to the end. His life was spent being there for others--once he touched your life, he never forgot you and you never forgot him. He was always active in his church, his community, his government, etc. In Hillsborough County, he worked to make everything accessible for everyone through numerous committees. The SCC Men's Club initiatives actively pursue this, started by his efforts. He appreciated God's world through local Audubon activities and served his neighbors in his local association. United Community Church has always counted on his support and voluntary service for twenty some years. Dick, with his infectious smile, only saw what he could do and did it, always giving more than he received. Dick was a gentleman to be admired by all, leaving faithful friends in many places with lives enriched by his presence! His wife, with the help of his hospice personnel, and Stephen Minister Harry Estes, lovingly cared for him in his last years. Dick gave us all more than he received; Dick made us all better than we were before.
Memorial Service: September 25th, 2:00 pm, United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Avenue, Sun City Center, FL
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In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sun City Center LifePath Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, FL 335730 or United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Avenue, Sun City Center, FL 33573