CARBONDALE — James Darrel May Jr. passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2017, at his home in Carbondale, at age 70. He shared more than 40 years with his wife, Rosie Gard.
Born in Carbondale, Jim was raised all across the globe by his parents, Jean and Saad Jabr.
He retired as Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army and earned the Meritorious Service Medal for achievement during peacetime and the Humanitarian Service Medal for his relief efforts in the 1993 Mississippi floods.
He held a Master’s of Arts in History from Southern Illinois University and was dedicated to understanding the historical roots of our current political climate.
Jim valued finding the deeper meaning in our world. He was fluent in five languages and devout in his religious beliefs. He loved to share his knowledge of technology, carpentry, art and photography. He will be remembered by many organizations and friends in the community.
He is survived and loved by his wife, Rosie Gard, and her siblings; his daughter, Jessica May Elder and her husband, John Elder; and his brothers Saleh, Gus, Tony, and Ali Jabr and their families.
Celebration of life for Jim will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship at 105 N. Parrish Lane. The memorial will be given at 2 p.m. and military rites at 3 p.m. He will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Center for Empowerment and Justice, 213 N. Washington Street, Carbondale, IL 62901; The Women’s Center, 610 S. Thompson St., Carbondale, IL 62901; and/or Good Samaritan House, 701 S. Marion St., Carbondale, IL 62901.
“Peace be with him.”
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