James May, 79, of Yankton

James, formerly of Springfield, died Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Funeral services will be 11 AM, Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Springfield. Burial is in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be the hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

James Monroe May was born February 28, 1946 on a family ranch near Springview, NE, the son of Eugene Herman "Dutch" and Mary Ruby (Estes) May. He died Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

When Jim was 3 years old, he, his father and 4 siblings relocated to Springfield. He was reared by his aunt and uncle Lillian "Lil" and Lyle Irish for a few years. Then he lived on a sheep farm with his father, younger brother and his aunt and uncle, Laura (May) and William "Bill" Turner near Tyndall. Jim attended grades 1-8 at Springfield Public Grade School and then helped his aunt and uncle on the sheep farm. During the 1970s he received education at the Redfield State Training School. In 1979, he transitioned to the Yankton Area Adjustment Training Center, now known as Ability Building Services until the time of his death. He was residing in an independent apartment. He learned many life skills and worked with ABS supervision at several jobs.

Jim excelled in Special Olympics sports and earned many gold, silver and bronze medals in local through national Special Olympics competitions. He was named MVP after one of his SD softball games, when pitching at a tournament in Mitchell. He also competed in basketball and bowling tournaments, earning many "highest score" trophies in bowling. After Jim's retirement, he continued to bowl and participate in art activities. One of his paintings of the Nativity was featured as an ABS Christmas card.

He also enjoyed attending church activities at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Yankton, lunch at the Yankton Senior Center, going to Dairy Queen weekly and playing Bingo. Jim will be remembered for his gentle, caring personality, love of talking, sense of humor and infectious smile. It was nearly impossible for anyone he met to not feel happy and good after being around him. He made friends wherever he went.

Thankful for having shared his life are his two younger siblings: Judeth "Judy" Petersen of Sioux Falls and William "Bill" May of Casa Grande, AZ and their families. He will be missed by his family, ABS staff and residents.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings: his older brothers Leo and Richard Hibray and John May, and by his older two sisters, Saraphene May and Rhea (May) Harris.