JD May

JD May left this world on December 2, 2022. He was born in Havre on November 7, 1972, to Danette Spinler and Richard Cowan. Danette married, and JD was then adopted and raised by John May. His early years were spent in Silesia, and then Park City where he completed most of his schooling. He graduated early from Havre High so that he could complete a mission trip in Belize.

JD started a cleaning business at the age of 19. That same year, he was married and a few years later divorced. From that marriage, Chase Tyler May was born. Sometime later he reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Aubrey Boston, and they were married on July 31, 1997, in Coeur d'Alene, ID. They continued running the cleaning business in Billings while raising their six children Elizabeth May, Uriel May, Emily-Louise May, Lucia May, Jude May, and Bridget May. JD also decided to try his hand at carpentry and over the years built and sold 4 houses. The last one became a home in which the family would grow, rest, shed tears, and be full of happiness. He was an excellent and skilled craftsman.

JD was passionate when it came to his friends, hobbies, recreation, and music. He was an all-or-nothing kind of guy. JD was an accomplished skier, a legend at Red Lodge Mountain. He had a distinctive SKI style, using no poles as he flew down each and every tree line. This earned him the nickname 'Birdman'. A GOOD day was to ski a Dr. Pepper, which was 23 laps down Thompson's. Martial arts were a 26-year pursuit where he earned a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Judo while also dabbling in Taekwondo. Here, he felt like the adopted son of Suk and Yoon. Floating the river with friends and family and trying new forest service cabins provided many wonderful memories. He was an adventurer. To say he had guts was an understatement, if he had any fear, you couldn't tell. He wasn't afraid to try something new and he was always determined to become the best at it. He took on paragliding in his 40s and after that, he was always up in the air. Well, at least after he would dive off the mountain face of his choosing. To say he was an adrenaline junkie is certain. JD was also the guy who would drop all he had going on to fix a shower, and door hinge, rewire a light socket, repair a fence, or carry a friend at church to and from her car because she'd had knee surgery. He was generous and kind, always looking out for the underdog.

He was a wanderer. He visited many, many places and belonged to none. He would walk on foot (often barefooted) through this whole city and make it his own. Travel was a passion of his, and he appreciated a travel partner who could offer cool calm planning. Some of his best times were trips to Alaska with his son Chase and the family; taking Emma to attend the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, CA; leading his daughter, Liz, to New York City where he followed her anywhere she wanted to go; traveling to Rome for an ordination; and driving the infamous desert loop—stretching the Pacific Coast Highway, across Death Valley, down to the Grand Canyon, stopping at Angel's Landing, then all the way back home. He was van people in disguise and taught his kids about bathing in rivers or lakes, making food on the roadside, and NO air conditioning, even in July. He was a man who simply appreciated the little things; a warm bed and a good night's sleep, any offer of a snack, lots of strong coffee, or being able to share a unique sunset during a drive with someone he loved. These were unscripted adventures, going wherever the spirit moved them. Memorable for sure.

JD was intense and outspoken, never one to mince words, leading to many confrontations with Red Lodge Mountain Staff, YMCA sauna regulars, and even church leaders. He wasn't understood by all, and that was ok because he was authentically himself. The few people he kept in his life were those he chose, trusted, and held dear. He didn't have a superficial relationship with anybody. With JD, you could always count on having a deep and detailed conversation, full of critical thinking and multiple perspectives. As an old soul, he carried out many lessons. The wisdom he shared was exactly what you needed, and sometimes exactly what you didn't want to hear. He was intelligent, a deep thinker who held fast to principles he deemed worthy. He spent several seasons participating in the 40 Days for Life Prayer walks and leading his family. He had a great devotion to the Rosary and would often “preach” or interact with the homeless who wandered by the Dwyer Park Grotto while he prayed.

JD was preceded in death by Richard Cowan. JD is survived by his wife of 25 years Aubrey May; his children Chase May, Elizabeth May, Uriel May, Emily-Louise May, Lucia May, Jude May, and Bridget May, all of Billings, MT; his mother Danette Zeleniak; father John May of Park City; sister Stacy (Cowan) Samoy of Great Falls; brothers Johnathan May of Helena, Joshua May of Billings; and sister Michelle Burns.

You either loved or hated him, sometimes both, depending on the day. He loved deeply, felt deeply, and hurt deeply. Please hold on to your best memories of him.

A vigil will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 5 PM, at Dahl Funeral Chapel, with a rosary to follow. Funeral Mass will be Friday, December 16 at noon, at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral, luncheon to follow. There will be a memorial Judo scholarship set up at Parks Martial Arts. If you are inclined to contribute, you can direct funds to Melanie at the dojo; and Clean Team of MT will match all funds.