Benjamin Funeral Service Nowata, Oklahoma 918-273-2700.................................

Long time Chelsea resident Oscar Paul “Pete” May passed from this world on October 16, 2018 at age 86. Pete was born on July 12, 1932 to Arthur May and Ora Mabel Merrell May. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his siblings: Ira Orbra May, Edna Dorthena May Kulbeck, Arthur Eugene May, Mabel Maxine May Hays, Tommy Lee May and all their spouses.

Pete was married on December 10, 1966 to the former Marietta Lee Robertson Jones, a marriage that lasted almost 53 years. Marietta brought two children into the marriage, James Wendell Jones of Delaware, Oklahoma and Deborah Darlene Jones Boisselle of Davenport, Florida. Pete brought his three children into the marriage, Gary Paul May of Boise, Idaho, Pamela Sue May Laux of Ocala, Florida and Angela Lynn May Talburt of San Jose, California and together they blended their family as well as having a child together, Paula Diane May Sisto of Houston, Texas. He also was a proud uncle to all his nieces and nephews, but especially to Maxine’s daughter Laurie Elaine Hays Thompson. Many great times and camping trips were had with his cousin/brother Charles E. May and his late wife Margaret May and was a proud “uncle” to their daughters Jana May Hartman and Lisa May Collins.

He is also survived by his many grandchildren, Chyla Marie May, Brittany Alina Talburt, Breanna Lynn Talburt Trejos, Kerry William Talburt III, Cynthia Yvonne Jones Ketcher, Elaine Michelle Jones, Nicole Janine Boisselle, Ryan Henry Boisselle, Carmen Peter Sisto and Ava Leigh Sisto as well as his great-grandchildren; Gavin Dale Jones, Adrianna Lynn Jones, Nathaniel Dane Ketcher, Alexandria Dawn Ketcher, Abraham James Simmers and Corbin Allen Jones. Pete also leaves behind many family and friends and will be missed by all.
Pete and his siblings were born and raised in the Chelsea area and 5 of the 6 graduated from Chelsea High School. Pete graduated in 1950 and during his senior year he lettered in all three sports, basketball, baseball and football where he played as a teammate with Ralph Terry and against such players as Mickey Mantle. Also, while in his school he was lead singer for a Country Western band called Don Patterson and the Western Swingsters. After graduating he took up stock car racing with his good friend Gene Paul Flood, an activity he resumed when he returned to Chelsea in 1966. Pete joined the Navy in 1950 and served in the Korean War. During the war, Pete was stationed in Hawaii and had the opportunity to join fellow serviceman Jerry Unser on his racing team.

When he got out of the service Pete continued working as a mechanic. He loved being at any event in which his children were participating. He also liked to fish, whether he caught fish or not. He was a good cook, with Sunday pancakes and his legendary dad’s beef stew being his specialities. Later in life, he and Marietta enjoyed motorcycle trips with Loye and Delores Seabolt. He volunteered quite a few years for the Chelsea Booster Club and ran the clock at the football and basketball games. Pete and Marietta also volunteered at the Northeastern Square Dance Association where they enjoyed dancing, camping trips and made many lifelong friends. He finished up his career as a journeyman diesel mechanic where he worked for International Harvester for over 38 years. He was always fixing something, whether it be cars, wash machines, boat motors, etc. He always told his kids that “I can fix anything” (and usually did fix it) which was the cause of much amusement over the years as his kids asked him to fix more and more outlandish things. A good life of 86 years, well-loved and well-lived.

Donations can be made to American Heart Association, American Cancer Society.

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