A memorial gathering for Alfred J. May will be Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Alfred J. May, 94, died at his home surrounded by his four children on April 22, 2015.

A.J. continued to amaze all with his sharp memory and sense of humor to the end. He was born May 7, 1920 in McComb. Growing up in the small town of Brookhaven, his roots were steeped in Southern culture.

He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1939 and, after serving in the Air Force, attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. It was in his hometown of Brookhaven that he met the love of his life, Mary Lou Hoffman, who was attending Whitworth College for Women, thus beginning their 71-year journey together.

He moved his family to Grinnell, Iowa in 1959, where he enjoyed a rewarding 33-year career with General Telephone until his retirement in 1982 as GTE Midwest Marketing Director. His innovative approach to the business brought national recognition and numerous awards of excellence. He was an active member of Lions Club, United Methodist Church and Delta Chi Fraternity.

The hallmarks of A.J.’s legacy include a commitment to hard work, integrity, family and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors – fishing, woodworking, camping and golfing. He loved spending time with Mary Lou and their four children: Larry (Betsy), Susan, Scott, and Betsy (Julio); grandchildren Chad (Sue), Amy (Ryan), Jesse, Allison (Jeremy), Maya and Quena; and great-grandchildren Keegan, Kiersten, Haley, Cole, Caleb, Olivia and Sophia.

A.J. was preceded in death by his infant son Richard Alfred (1945); his parents Robert and Nellie; and his beloved wife, Mary Lou (2014). He was the fifth of nine siblings, survived by his sister, Dorothy.

Condolences and memorial contributions may be directed to the A.J. May Memorial fund in care of Smith Funeral Home, 1103 Broad St., P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112 or www.smithfh.com