Larry Lee May

Lawrence “Larry” Lee May, also known as “Lemo” or “Mazel”, 83, of Montrose, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Southeast Iowa Regional Health Center in Fort Madison, Iowa.

Larry was born on October 9, 1938, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Roy E. and Anna M. (Kuhlmeier) May. He graduated from Keokuk Senior High in 1957, and on June 23, 1977, he was united in marriage to Carol “Susie” Palmer in Quincy, Illinois. She survives.

Throughout the years he was employed by OW Rowe, Thomas Truck, Hutcherson Contractor and Classic Cars. He was also self-employed, doing body work and customizing cars. He specialized in chopping the tops of cars and trucks. Larry’s love of cars followed him throughout his life, and he was proud to say he had a 1934 Ford in his possession from the age of 16 until his passing. He was a member of the National Street Rod Association and loved racing, working on the pit crew for Don White and traveling to different race tracks. Larry never knew a stranger, and he always challenged himself to make people smile. He kept a diary for over thirty-four years, and teased his friends that if they weren’t careful they would end up in his diary. Larry loved dogs of all kinds, especially white German shepherds. He had several dogs throughout the years: Jude, Tramp, Reno, Mazel, Drifter and Maylee (Reno, Mazel and Maylee were all white German shepherds).

Larry is survived by his wife Carol “Susie” May of Montrose; his brother Dale E. May of Salem, Virginia; his sister Kathleen A. French of Keokuk, Iowa; three brothers-in-law: Jerry (Kathy) Palmer, Robert (Patty) Palmer and Danny (Debbie) Palmer; two nieces: Gina French and Colette (Brandon) Bokinski; eight nephews: Larry Glenn French, Darren (Irene) May, David (Melissa) May, Troy (Denise) May, Daryl (Sarena) Palmer, Cory (Melissa) Palmer, Dustin (Keiron) Palmer and Steven Palmer; numerous great nieces and nephews; and his beloved white German shepherd Maylee and his cat Hobo.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Steven Palmer, his grandparents, and his aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk, with burial to follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm directly before the service. Masks are recommended. 

Memorials may be directed to the Keokuk Humane Society or City of Christmas.

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