Michael “Mike” May

Dr. Michael (Mike) May, 77, of Manassas, Virginia, died on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, July 22, 2024, at Fairlawn Cemetery in Snyder, with Rev. Jeff Flowers, Interim Pastor of Abundant Life Church, Mangum, officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Snyder, Ok.

The family will greet friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home in Snyder.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, at a later date.

Mike was born in Roosevelt, OK, to LeRoy May and Gayle (Carpenter) May on January 30, 1947.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy May and Gayle May; granddaughter Kylie May Musselman; and grandson Jayden Joseph Musselman.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Niebruegge) May of Manassas, Virginia; daughter Karen (May) Musselman and son-in-law Mark Musselman of Manassas, Va.; son Kevin May and daughter-in-law Brenda (Brett) May of Marietta, Georgia; aunt Doris (Carpenter) Field of Evans, Georgia.; granddaughter Paige Musselman of Manassas, Va.; granddaughter Raegan May and grandson Parker May of Marietta, Ga.; brother-in-law Kenneth Niebruegge and sister-in-law Cathy Niebruegge of Mountain Park, Ok, and niece Amber Niebruegge of Snyder.

Mike graduated from Roosevelt High School before attending Cameron State Agricultural College where he earned his associates degree. From there, Mike attended Oklahoma State University to complete his undergraduate degree in Agriculture and Applied Science, immediately followed by the completion of a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Applied Science with a specialty in Meat Science. Upon completion of his master’s degree, Mike moved on to Kansas State University to complete his PhD in Food Science with a specialty in Meat Science.

Mike then moved to northern Virginia to begin his 31 year career with the US Department of Agriculture where he worked in the Livestock Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service, holding various roles including Chief of the Standardization Branch and then Assistant Chief of the Meat Grading Branch. Mike’s career achievements in meat grading culminated in receiving the Don L. Good Impact Award for his work to bring the USDA’s Certified Angus Beef program to the market. Always curious and always learning, Mike made a major career shift after 22 years in meat grading to become an IT Infrastructure Engineer with AMS for the final nine years of his career. His work was instrumental in bringing the digital age to the way work was done for all branches of AMS, allowing field teams to safely and securely submit information with greater speed, reduced costs, and higher efficiency than before.

Mike retired in 2006, after which he loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed watching Paige grow up close by, especially following her softball career, both in person and eventually online via Game-Changer when he could no longer be at the fields. Mike also enjoyed visiting his family in Georgia with multiple trips for birthdays and holidays, and joining their family vacations to Alaska, the Dakotas, Utah, and Colorado. Most recently, Mike adored his Bethel United Methodist Church family. He always spoke fondly of his time with bible study groups, the BUMMs Sunday breakfast, sitting at the pumpkin patch, or simply waiting in the Narthex after Sunday Services where he greatly appreciated visiting with anyone who stopped to talk. We will always remember Mike for his love for his family, his wisdom, his ability to learn new things at any age, and his amazing sense of humor (that stayed with him to the very end).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Fairlawn Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 185, Snyder, OK 73566, or Bethel United Methodist Church, 13506 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22192.