Joseph "Joey" Paul May

Joseph "Joey" May, 42, passed away September 18, 2023, in Austin, Texas. He was born on February 2, 1981, in Dallas, Texas to parents Michael May and Cynthia (Hyre) Cash.

Joe was known for his big heart and his courage.  His compassion for the underdog was demonstrated many times throughout his life beginning in his early years of elementary school where he would take up for and defend any weaker students that were being picked on.  Joe also had a great sense of humor which kept us laughing.  Joe played junior high football in Willard, Missouri and high school football in Rolla, Missouri.  He was an accomplished high school wrestler in Rolla where he won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals at several of his matches.  One of Joe’s most celebrated achievements is when he and his grandmother Sue “Memaw” Hyre graduated together with their GEDs.  Joe was a good writer and had an ability to express his thoughts and feelings well in the many letters he wrote during his adult life.  Most importantly, Joe believed in Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ, and he had a testimony of the saving power of the Redeemer.  Joe was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and would often read the scriptures and study church history.  Finally, and not least of all, Joe loved all the members of his family and did not hesitate to express his love verbally and in writing when he had the opportunity.

Joe is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Tracy and Sue Hyre, his paternal grandparents Ken and Kathleen May, his step maternal grandparents Rex and Nicki Bell, his aunt Pam Hyre and cousins Chelsea Hyre, Dwayne Hyre Jr. and David “Bo” Earl Bryant Jr.

Joe is survived by his mother Cindy Cash and father Mike May, stepmother Nomi May, brother John May, half-brothers Nathan and Kyle May, half-sister Nickolette (May) Collier, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.