After a very fulfilling day, the Lord called Thomas Bruce May home on Friday evening January 7, 2011. Tom May was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan on Jan 21, 1943 to the parents of Clarence May and Ethel Mae Zabitz. "Tommy" graduated from Roseville High School in 1961. His leadership quality and desire to help others was developed in his early years, in which he held the position of Sr. Class President and Captain of the Roseville HS Basketball Team. He then served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1965 stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base and deployed to Okinawa during the Vietnam War.

Upon his return to the states he met his wife, Loyce A. Howard, working as a life guard and teaching in the Rapid City Schools. He asked her, "What are you doing next Thursday?" They were married in August of 1964. His final year of military service at Ellsworth, Tom and Loyce's first child was born in Spearfish.

Tom was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force which led the May family to Roseville, Michigan where Tom attended the Fire Academy and Paramedic Training. He became a Roseville Fire Fighter/Paramedic. He had a full career and retired from the Roseville Fire Dept after 27 years of service. Again, he was always helping and saving others.

During the 27 years in Michigan, Tom and Loyce had two more sons. As a father of three, he participated in all kinds of activities from: Boy Scouts, attending ballet competitions, to coaching a Parks and Recreation Basketball League. He held the position of President of the Roseville Goodfellows for many years, Secretary of the IAFF Firemen's' Union, and founded a political group of Concerned Roseville Citizens. Tom always had a cause in which he gave 110%.

As a retired person does, you begin a new phase of your life. Tom, Loyce and the youngest son, moved to Custer to begin this new phase. Tom along with his family began Dakota Greens of Custer, Inc., and Top Pin Archery. So much for retirement; that grass needs to be cut! Tom also was very instrumental in the founding of Top Pin Archers Club, the SDAA Archery in the Schools Program, and the development of the Bowhunters Education Programs here in Custer. Being the avid angler and hunter, Tom became known as "The Dentist" during elk season for the Guys with Knives; pulling the ivories for the successful hunters. We are happy to report Tom did draw an Elk tag and enjoyed the meat before his passing.

Tom is simply saying "Meet Me Here in Heaven" and not goodbye to ever-loving wife, Loyce, of 46 years, daughter Robin Janelle May-Prior and Jeff Prior, eldest son Bruce Rion and Amy May, and youngest son Matthew Thomas and Maria May. Tom has five grandchildren which he enjoyed and loved: Rion Andrew May, Dakota Reese Prior, Lauren Andrea May, Gunner Thomas Prior and Mitchell Thomas May.

1943-2011 will be the years etched into Tom's headstone. What Tom did and accomplished with his dash was amazing. Tom loved God, his country, his family and tried to make life better for everyone.

Services to say "See you later "will be held at Custer Fellowship Lutheran Church on Thursday Jan 13, 2011 at 1:00. Paying respects and viewing to begin at noon. The May and Prior Families ask for memorials to: Mountainview Baptist Building Fund, the Custer Fire Department or Custer Ambulance Service as an alternative of flowers.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.