The family of George M. May Jr. has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
George served his country in the US Army during WWII. Having lost an eye in a childhood accident, George was not allowed to deploy overseas so he served his country in another capacity; he was in charge of the motor pool and later in the Military Police transporting foreign POWs within the U.S. George was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. During World War II, more than 100 units, nearly 275,000 men received their training at Camp Atterbury, and thousands more, who received their initial training elsewhere were sent there for advanced training. The base also served as an internment camp for approximately 15,000 Italian and German prisoners of war. At the time of his discharge in 1946, George had attained the rank of Sergeant.
After the war and even though he obtained certification as a Master Aviation Mechanic, with much persuasion, George joined his father in the restaurant business. May’s Cafe in downtown San Diego was his vocation for over 30 years. His avocation was speed – planes, motorcycles and boats.
In the early years, George was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the formation of the San Diego Aerospace Museum. He was a longtime member of the civilian Air Force Association. The fact that he had only one eye never deterred him; he was a private pilot and started his powerboat-racing career in San Diego in 1951. As a member, and later commodore, of the Pacific Powerboat Club, his hobby became an obsession and in later years a part-time vocation.
In 1964 George was the APBA national champion in the F-racing runabout class. On February 17, 1965, he set the closed course world speed record for this class on Mission Bay. It was a record that stood for many years. That same year he was elected to the Gulf Marine Racing Hall of Fame and in 1966 was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions. While actively racing and after his retirement from the restaurant business in the late 70’s, he was an APBA referee in the following categories: Stock outboard, Modified outboard, Outboard Pleasure Craft, Inboards and Unlimited Hydroplanes, including the original “Thunderboat” regatta here in San Diego in 1964. In 1985, Vapor Trails Publications honored George as Referee of the Year.
George was predeceased by his wife, Nerna, in 1994, and is survived by his children, Karon (San Diego), and Brett (Fort Lauderdale, FL), and his adored grandson, Lance and wife, Jessica, and his good friend and PGR Member, Ron Lebow.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, please see the time table below.
Time Table for Friday, 3 OCT 2014:1315 – Stage at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
https://goo.gl/maps/ZD6dp1330 – Mission Briefing
1400 – Flag Line, Funeral Service with Full Military Honors
RC Lorenzo LizarragaSoCal PGR Ride Captain
llizarraga@yahoo.com
619-971-2236
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please post your condolences for the family at:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?395358
