In Loving Memory of

Charles Brian May

Feb 8, 1955 – Sept 6, 2026

Charles “Chuck” Brian May, age 71, went to be with his Lord and Savior in heaven on September 6, 2026.

Chuck was born in Raymond, Washington in 1955 to Carson and Gerane May. He was the second born in a very loving family of three children who attended schools in Tacoma, Washington. As a young person, Chuck enjoyed playing sports, fishing, and riding the motorcycle that he purchased with the money he earned on his paper route. His mother, Gerane, once jokingly told Chuck that he could spend his money like a drunken sailor since he had earned it with his hard work. He enjoyed getting to know his customers and their pets on his paper route; always prompt in his deliveries and collecting of payments.

Chuck was quite close to his older brother, Rick, and his younger sister, Michele. Chuck, however, was known for pulling silly pranks on his siblings when they least expected it. He had an impish grin and a twinkle in his eyes that spoke to the happiness he enjoyed in his childhood.

He always spoke fondly of the family vacations they took in their big station wagon to Montana each summer to spend time with his grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. No seat belts were required and speed limits were optional! These family vacations led to his lifelong love of Montana, particularly the family wheat farms and the families that ran them.

Chuck’s family moved to Chehalis, Washington his senior year in high school. Chuck’s attitude toward this move was positive because his parents finally gave him permission to play football. Chuck appreciated his dad, Carson, driving him to early morning practices from Tacoma to Chehalis before their new house was ready to move into. Making it to these practices paid off, for Chuck made the varsity team and contributed in ways that sometimes led to victories; a dream come true for him. He made a lifelong friend on this team, Dave Zylstra. They continued to text back and forth about plays during most Seahawks games over the years, in spite of living on opposite sides of the state.

Chuck graduated from W. F. West High School in 1973. Then he attended Centralia Community College for two years before earning his BA in Business from Eastern Washington University in 1978. In May of that same year, he was elected a member of Beta Gamma Sigma by the Eastern Washington University Chapter.

Chuck worked in the banking profession in Centralia, Washington; Hood River, Oregon; and Aberdeen, Washington before marrying his wife, Susan (Seppa) May in 1981. Soon after that, Chuck and Susan moved to Kennewick, Washington, where Chuck started his new career in the title insurance business. Over the next several years, they welcomed three wonderful sons into their family: Chris, Sean, and Steven. Chuck became very active in coaching their sports teams and giving assistance on tough assignments in school. Life was busy, but very rewarding for Chuck. He loved his sons dearly and did everything he could to raise them well.

In the early years, many trips were made over White Pass during holidays to spend time with family in Centralia and Chehalis. Chuck loved driving on the snowy pass at night. To him, the beauty of the snowflakes dancing toward the vehicle’s windshield, highlighted by the high beams of the headlights, always outweighed the dangers of maneuvering across the snowy pass. It was like a winter wonderland to him. He loved the newly fallen snow!

Chuck loved his Lord and Savior, his family, his friends, and the pets the family had over the years. He was fair, generous, honest, hardworking, loyal, and very humorous … and to be honest, a little intense at times about his beliefs and convictions. He loved life and cared deeply about many things. Later in life, one of his greatest joys was hunting deer in Montana with his farmer friend, Kim Haaland. Together they would scout the land and find just the right one for Chuck to harvest and fill the family freezer with. Chuck successfully shot his first antelope when his son, Chris, slowly brought the old Tundra pickup down to a crawl on a gravel road and said, “Dad, just jump out and crawl across the road. Find one to shoot as I speed ahead to distract them.” There is much more to this story, but patience and hard work paid off when Pete the pronghorn antelope was harvested and brought home to eat and mount on the living room wall.

Chuck also loved participating in his gun club, shooting in competition matches, and volunteering at the church he attended faithfully. He was on the church safety team and helped count the offering money at the end of Sunday services. More recently, he took up bullseye or precision pistol shooting. He particularly enjoyed the comradery of his fellow shooters, often sharing stories of who had the best score that day. He was happy when he could report that he did not come in last place. Chris was always quick to remind him who had come out on top between the two of them. It was their fun family competition on the side.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan May; his sons, Chris May of Kennewick, Washington, Sean May (Sunisa) of Pasco, Washington, and Steven May of Richland, Washington. He is also survived by his brother Richard May of Port Gamble, Washington; sister Michele Sherwin (Greg) of Renton, Washington; sisters-in-law Lisa Landsiedel (Gary), Sandra Young (Mark), all of Centralia, Washington; brother-in-law Danny Seppa of Centralia, Washington; niece Tracy Sherwin; nephews Neil Sherwin, Chad Landsiedel, Chase Landsiedel, Isaac Young (Sarah), Luke Young, Ezra Young, and David Young.

Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Carson and Gerane May.

Chuck left a lasting imprint on those who knew him well. We will forever hold him close to our hearts.

You are invited to attend Chuck’s celebration of life at New Heights Church, 390 Thayer Drive, Richland, Washington on October 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.