Kim May Obituary

Kim O'Riley May Charleston - Dr. Kim O'Riley May, 65, of Charleston, SC, husband of Anne May, passed peacefully on Thursday, October 4, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. Kim was born April 28, 1953 in Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1971, and attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology. After graduation Kim was appointed Assistant Professor of Psychology (1992) and retired as a Full Professor (2013) from the College of Charleston. He published over two dozen research articles in his field. Stephen C. Osborne, Interim President of the College of Charleston, said of Kim, "Dr. May was a highly respected member of the College of Charleston faculty and a valued member of our campus community. He was a beloved educator who touched countless lives and inspired numerous students, faculty, and staff. Dr. May helped strengthen the college through his dedication and countless contributions to our mission. He was a professor's professor and a true student advocate. Dr. May will long be remembered by our faculty, staff and students who had the pleasure to know him. Dr. May is deeply missed and will always be a member of our College of Charleston family. In addition to being a statistician, Kim was a guitarist, writer, and vocalist for the 1970s southern rock band Xebec for fifteen years in Oklahoma. He produced and recorded Calm Before the Storm, the band's album. With Xebec, Kim toured with Sly and the Family Stone, and opened for many bands, including Alice Cooper, Jefferson Starship, and Bob Seger. After moving to Charleston, Kim continued his love of music as a blues guitarist and vocalist for over 10 years. He performed with Smoky Weiner and The Hot Links, also The Blues Doctors. Tom, colleague and band member said, "Kim's a great, great blues guitar player-everyone wants him to sit in. And he has a great blues voice-raw, gritty, and soulful." Bowen's Island was his favorite venue. Kim is survived by his wife of twenty years, Anne May of Charleston, SC; daughter, Christy Glennon (Doug) and their two grandchildren, Doug Jr. and Taylor Glennon of Naples, FL; sister, Carol Hopkins (Glen) of Oxford, MS; brother-in-law, Jerry Ingram (Caroline) of Grand Praire, TX; and sister-in-law, Laurie Ingram of Saint Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Bonnie May of Houston, TX; son, Dylan May of Tulsa, OK; and brother, David May. Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, James Island, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston