MARINE SGT. KENNETH B. MAY, JR. 4/20/1984 – 5/11/2010

The Soldiers Memorial Fund once again must announce the passing of one of our brave warriors. Please join us in our prayers and condolences to his family, friends, fellow soldiers, and patriots. May he never be forgotten for his ultimate sacrifice, and his honorable duty to his country. In the pantheons of the military, he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Kenneth!

Funeral services for Sgt Kenneth B. May, Jr. 26, of Kilgore, will be 2PM, Friday, May 21, 2010 at the First Baptist Church of Kilgore with Reverends John Gradberg, and Mike Brook officiating. Interment will follow at Danville Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore. Mr. May was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan serving his second enlistment and third deployment with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Division, 1st Expeditionary.

Kenneth Blaine May, Jr. was born in Kilgore at Laird Memorial Hospital on April 20, 1984. He was a 2002 graduate of Kilgore High School and attended Kilgore College. Kenneth was an accomplished guitarist and enjoyed all types of music. Other interests include gaming and firearms. Kenneth was a Christian man first and foremost and very involved and active with the Saddleback Church in San Clemente, Ca. near where the family was stationed at Camp Pendleton. He leaves behind a legacy of being a loving husband, son, and dear friend. Kenneth will be remembered stating, “The Warrior, whose sole reason for existence is War, is the seeker of Peace.”

Survivors include his wife, Krystal Barton of Kilgore, parents, Kenneth and Karen Pool May of Kilgore, Mother and Father in Law, Rev. Glen and Wilma Barton of Kilgore, one sister Kalynne R. May of Kilgore, Grandfathers, John A. May and Edward O. Pool both of Kilgore. Uncles and Aunts, Mike and Frances Pool of Rice, Tim and Deanna May of North Port, Florida; Uncles Greg Pool of Rice, and John Pool of Kilgore. Other survivors include his cousins, Dexter and Amber May of Florida. Kenneth was preceded in death by grandmothers, Daisy Goodman May, and Marilyn Bickford Mace, and Cousin Brandon May.

Visitation will be six to eight, Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the memorial fund set up at Kilgore’s Austin Bank in Kenneth’s name.

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