Ronald A. May

RONALD A. MAY, 89, died of complications from cancer April 16, 2018, at West Markham Sub Acute and Rehabilitation Center in Little Rock. Ronald (known to his friends as Ron or Ronny) was born September 8, 1928, in Waterloo, Iowa, to John and Elsie (Finlayson) May. After graduating from West High School in 1946, Ron enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 7th Division, Army of Occupation, Korea. After being discharged as a Corporal, he attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1950 with a BA Magna Cum Laude in American studies. He then attended Vanderbilt University Law School, where he graduated in 1953. Ronald was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 1953, and practiced law in the state for over 50 years. He settled in Little Rock in 1958, when he joined the law firm of Wright, Lindsey, & Jennings. He formally left the law firm in September of 2013. He was for so many years reluctant to leave his law practice because, as he said, he had always enjoyed the company of lawyers. He was active in both the Arkansas Bar Association and the American Bar Association. For many years he chaired the American Bar's various committees on technology and computing, and was a pioneer in the use of computers in the practice of law in Arkansas. Ron was deeply committed to serving his community. He served on dozens of community and government boards and committees. He was particularly dedicated to UAMS, serving on the Human Subjects Advisory Committee and Institutional Review Board for more than 15 years. In addition, he served the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (Founding Board of Directors 1984-1990, Chairman 1990-91); the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute Board of Directors (1970-1980; Chairman 1978-80); Planned Parenthood of Greater Arkansas Board of Directors; the Little Rock Museum of Science and Natural History Board of Trustees (Chairman 1973); the Friends of the Library (President 1975); the Arkansas Association for Mental Health (President 1968-70); and the Board of Directors of the UALR Friends of the Arts among many other civic organizations which he served and supported. He also served a number of state and other government entities: the Arkansas State Capitol Grounds Commission; the Arkansas State Hospital Board; the Arkansas Board of Architects; the professional advisory board for the University of Arkansas' School of Architecture; the professional advisory board for the Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and Design; and the Arkansas Ethics Commission. He was also an Arkansas Bar Examiner. Ron was actively committed to many causes and community concerns, but he was most proud of his public support for Little Rock School integration, and later his legal work to uphold voting rights during Winthrop Rockefeller's 1966 election for governor. Ron loved travel and gourmet cooking, and above all else he was a consummate reader. He was constantly reading and re-reading American and British fiction, philosophy, history, and popular science. He was man of reason, honesty and integrity, who valued these qualities in others. Loved by those he leaves behind, Ron will be remembered by many people for many things. To his children, he will always be remembered as a father who was generous with love and support, and who instilled in them the values of honesty and education. Ronald is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan (East) May; four children: Sarah Leflar (Robert) of Fayetteville, Jonathan May (Jane) of Boyce, La., Andy May (Missy Morris) of Los Angeles, and Rachel May (Doug Dusini) of Tampa; three stepchildren: Jim Gray (Henry Louie) of Washington, D.C., Suzy Gray of San Antonio, and Frances Fayard (Calvin) of New Orleans; nine grandchildren: David Slade (Kelly) of Little Rock, Hannah May (Erin English) of Los Angeles, Hank May of Los Angeles, Jean Louise May of Boyce, La., Nicolás Lizarazo of Las Vegas, Caroline May of Boston, Sarah Helen Leflar, of Portland, Ore., Gwen Lizarazo of Tampa, and Carter Fayard of New Orleans; and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Jane Slade of Little Rock. A funeral will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 26. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that he be memorialized with a charitable contribution to Planned Parenthood of Arkansas, or the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. Arrangements are entrusted to Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.