Anthony Wayne May

Anthony (Tony) Wayne May, of Vernon Township, Indiana, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 58.

Tony was born in Hartford City, Michigan, to Sondra and Ron May, the eldest of four children. A gifted student, he graduated at the top of his class from Shelby High School in 1985 before continuing his education at Purdue University. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, later completing his MBA at Indiana University. Among his proudest academic experiences was an educational exchange with the Moscow Aerospace Technical Institute in Russia. From an early age, Tony was captivated by space and engineering; though his height—6'4"—prevented him from qualifying for NASA’s astronaut program, he remained deeply proud of Purdue’s legacy in space exploration.

The military played a defining role in Tony’s life, opening the door to his education and lifelong career. He served in the Gulf War as a Communications Chief in Saudi Arabia, where he met his future wife, Florence “Flory” Fleck. Their love story included Tony briefly embracing long-distance running to win her over—only to retire from the sport entirely the week they became engaged. They were married on September 12, 1992, in the gazebo in her parents’ backyard.

After leaving the military with the rank of sergeant, Tony began a distinguished 28-year career with Rolls-Royce. Over the years, he held numerous leadership and technical roles, including Stress Analyst, Engineering IT Manager, Manager of Fluid Systems, Assistant Chief of Mechanical Engineering, and Life Cycle Engineering Lead for North America. His work took him around the world, including to the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, and Canada.

Tony’s greatest passion, however, was education and community service. A founding member of the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, he also served on the Mt. Vernon School Board for 11 years, including multiple terms as president. He believed deeply in the power of education to shape lives, a conviction rooted in his own experiences. Tony shared his love of learning as an adjunct professor at the University of Indianapolis, a mentor to students of all ages, and a docent at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

Tony’s enthusiasm for history—especially presidential history—was unmistakable. He built a personal library featuring every U.S. president, collected election memorabilia, and created blog and video content exploring his passion. He took particular joy in guiding visitors through the Benjamin Harrison home, bringing history to life with his knowledge and warmth.

Tony will be remembered for his steady, kind, and calming presence. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal friend. His leadership, generosity, and dedication to his community touched countless lives, and his absence will be deeply felt.

A celebration of life will be held on July 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mt. Vernon School Corporation’s Alumni Room, followed by a special program at the Semiquincentennial Field of Honor on the Mt. Vernon campus.

Tony is survived by his wife of 33 years, Flory May; his children, James May and Elizabeth May; his mother, Sondra Anderson; and his siblings, Leslie Hasty (Ron), Dave May (Laura), and Zander Maverick (Jason).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tony May Legacy Fund at the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation https://onecau.se/tonymay