• Lt. Colonel Theron Jackson May
• 23 November 1938 – 25 July 2026
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With profound sadness and deep respect, we announce the passing of Lt. Colonel Theron J. May, 87, USAF (Retired), United Airlines (Retired), of Round Hill, Virginia. Theron was a devoted husband, brother, loving father, grandfather, decorated military officer, commercial airline pilot and steadfast friend to all who knew him. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Theron was born at home on 23 November 1938 and raised in Moultrie, Georgia, and graduated from Moultrie High School in 1956. He then attended Auburn University, where he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program. While at Auburn, Theron competed against other schools across the country as a member of the Auburn University ROTC Rifle Team, and was recognized multiple times as a top marksman, and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

He married his sweetheart, Gail Love, on February 12, 1961. In April of the same year, Theron’s first assignment was primary pilot training at Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta GA, then on to helicopter pilot training at Stead Air Force Base, Reno NV, in July 1962. After receiving his wings and helicopter training, Theron’s first operational assignment was with Atlantic Air Rescue Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery AL, flying H-43's, serving in air rescue operations from September 1962 to May 1965. The Maxwell tour also included a duty assignment to Korat, Thailand during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

He was then assigned to Hahn Air Base in Germany, which included a duty assignment in Ethiopia, Africa, where he flew strategic mountain region photo mapping missions. Theron then went to Vietnam (Det.14, 38ARRS at Than Son Nhut Air Base) in 1967 to fly H-43's on rescue missions during the Vietnam war, while his family lived back in Moultrie, GA. After the Tet Offensive, he returned stateside and in early Summer 1968 was assigned duty at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, where Theron continued to fly H-43's.

In 1970, Theron went through HC-130 Hercules flight training and was assigned to the 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, AK, where he flew and led search and rescue missions. Then in 1975, after five years in “The Last Frontier” state, he was assigned to Military Airlift Command headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, near O’Fallon, Illinois, where he was head of Standardization and Evaluation, and earned his Master's degree in Government in 1977. In 1978, Theron was promoted to Lt. Colonel and named Commander of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance C-130 Squadron (Hurricane Hunters) at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. He was later named Base IG.

Lt. Colonel Theron J. May retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service on 30 April 1989 and, continuing to follow his boyhood dream and passion to fly, became an airline pilot with United Airlines until fully retiring in late 2000.

In retirement, Theron loved traveling to Europe, mostly Germany, with his beloved wife Gail. New Year’s Eve in Munich became a multi-year tradition which they looked forward to each year. Theron’s witty sense of humor and quick puns were a hallmark to all who knew him. Ice cream, dogs, war history, all things Auburn, and hitting the golf course were among his favorites. But above all, family was at the core of his heart, and home was his favorite place to be, even if just “piloting” his zero-turn tractor mowing the grass.

Theron (aka Ron, Tpa) is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Gail Love; his sister, Gayle May Cottrell; his children, Michael May (Ginger), Maria May Gilleland (Jason); his grandchildren George, Clara, Olivia, Ingrid, Gabriel, and Audrey; and many extended family members, friends, neighbors, and comrades who will miss him dearly.

Services will be held in Theron’s hometown of Moultrie, Georgia, at Cobb Funeral Chapel, 2441 Highway 37 West, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and an indoor service will start at 2:00 pm, followed by a graveside military service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lt. Colonel Theron J. May’s memory to: That Others May Live Foundation at thatothersmaylive.org.

Cobb Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.