J. Thomas May

Jude Thomas May (Tom), retired David Ross Boyd Professor of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and former Executive Director of the Society for Applied Anthropology passed away on February 14, 2018 in his home in Oklahoma City. Born in Grand Forks, N.D., he was the son of James A. May and Frances Temple May. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anita Rasi May, children, Rose Marie May and Thomas Garvey May, daughter-in-law, Michele Taluba May, son-in-law, Kelly Qandil, and three grandchildren, Tyler, Michael, and Mikayla May. Tom was raised in Beeville, Texas, received his bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, a master's degree in social history from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate in medical history from Tulane University. He joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1968, teaching in the Department of Social Sciences and Health Behavior and later in the Department of Public Health Administration at the College of Public Health. He served as Associate Dean of the College from 1990 to 1993. A much beloved teacher, Tom was named David Ross Boyd Professor in 1994, the position from which he retired in 2004. His research and writing focused on neighborhood health centers, recruitment of minorities to the health professions, participation of disadvantaged populations in health care delivery and policy, and the history of medicine. His interests drew him to devoted service to the Society for Applied Anthropology, first as a volunteer and later as its Executive Director. A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 24th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church 1616 N. Kelly Avenue, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to either the Society for Applied Anthropology, PO BOX 2436, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 or to the Anita R. and J. Thomas May Family Fund of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.