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Paul Love May

Paul Love May

Dec. 20, 1932 - Apr. 20, 2024

Date of Service: May 4, 2024

Watch the Webcast Service Program

RUPERT – Paul Love May, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, due to renal failure.

Paul was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph Herbert May and Doris Wilding Love May. He lived in Salt Lake City for a few years until his father moved them to a farm in Rupert, Idaho, where he spent the balance of his youth.

He loved athletics and participated in basketball in high school as well as excelling as a pole vaulter. He played bass horn in the school band. He graduated from Rupert High School in 1951.

On August 8,1951, Paul and his high school sweetheart, Betty Lee Covert, eloped and were married in Pocatello, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple in 1953. They had two children while in Idaho, Teresa and Jeff. Farming was poor for a few years so the family moved to Blackfoot, where Paul worked in a potato plant. Betty had strep throat one winter that was difficult to get rid of. She ended up with rheumatic fever which damaged her heart. They moved to the Salt Lake area where she could have better access to medical care.

Patricia was born in Salt Lake in 1961 followed by the birth of Claudia in 1964. Betty’s heart never recovered from the heart issues and she passed five weeks later.

Paul had been widowed just 2 ½ months when he was introduced to Sharon Robinson, who was also recently widowed, leaving her with three small children, Lynne, Richard and Greg. They soon married and merged their seven children. Over the next 13 years they added six more children, Grant, Michael, Andrew, Cameron, Kathryn, and Jennifer. Additionally, they opened their home to three Navajo children, Elsie, Veronica, and Troy.

Paul has been able to work at several ventures which he totally enjoyed….manufacturing, building, and owning businesses, but nothing compares to his family and church responsibilities.

Paul and Sharon traveled extensively, mostly to see family members in far flung places. Three years ago they sold their family reunion center on the Salmon River and retired back to Rupert.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon May; children, Teresa (James) Strickland, Jeffery (Lorie) May, Lynne Robinson (Deceased), Richard (Rachel) Robinson, Patricia (Daniel) Young, Gregory (Holly) Robinson, Claudia (David) George, Grant (Willow) May, Michael May, Andrew (Sharon) May, Cameron (Jennifer) May, Kathryn (John) Chapman, and Jennifer (George) Dibble; 52 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren…so far.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Rupert 1st/Jackson Ward (formerly known as the Minidoka Stake Tabernacle), located at 806 G Street, in Rupert, with Bishop Rick Stimpson officiating. Burial will follow at Paul Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, and from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, preceding the funeral, at the church.


A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/xvMM546DmtQ.

Condolences for Paul Love May

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Wes & Evelyne Schow:
Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.
From Mike, Louise and Brindy Hale:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Family.
From Brett and Tonya Simms:
All our love and affection with the fondest memories of Paul and Sharon serving selflessly in the Challis Ward and Stanley Branch. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to have been blessed and shaped by your goodness.
From Wally and LindaLee Smith:
Sharon and I sang our hearts out in Sweet Adalines chorus and in a quartet. Wally and I visited Paul. and Sharon at the Salmon Family Reunion. Center and loved staying there and reminiscing about old times. My thoughts and prayers are with you Sharon . Love always.
From Loren and Penny West:
Sharon and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Paul was an amazing man whom we will always treasure. Our love and prayers are with you.
From Laura Koyle:
I just love your family. What an example you have been to me of unconditional love. You've always loved anyone that came your way. Paul will truly be missed by me, I always felt he cared about me and everyone else around.
From Ted & Shona Kasper:
Our bond began many years ago when you both walked into the Salt Lake City Medical Center at precisely the right time and gave love and comfort to me which has continued for a lifetime. Our heart and prayers go out to the family as you miss this wonderful man who has left a legacy behind. God bless and keep you all. Love you forever Sharon.
From Dennis & Loretta Eggett:
Sharen and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful for the gospel and that we can be together forever as families. I enjoyed knowing you and your family.
From Cindy Pearce and family:
Sharon,
You both will always be in my heart. God sure blessed this earth when he gave us the both of you.
The sound of your dear husband's voice will linger in my ears forever. Paul will be deeply missed.
I look forward to the day you and I can sit and reminisce again. All my love dear Sharon
From RaNelle & Ron Knowles:
We are so very sorry for your loss Sharon & family. What a remarkable couple you are & what service & love you have shared with so many! May you feel our Savior’s love & peace as you endure this separation from Paul. I’m sure he’s missing you too! Love to you all.
From Delores (Walther) Mike Gillson and Walther families :
Love and prayers of comfort in your behalf. Thinking of you...your Alaskan friends
From Delores (Walther) Mike Gillson and Walther families :
Love and prayers of comfort in your behalf. Thinking of you...your Alaskan friends
From Linda & Fred Davies:
Meeting Paul May (and Sharon) was life changing for us.....our to yours....
From Mary Albaugh Lenz:
Love you sweet cousin. Know you are tough and you will be ok but right now cry all you want.
From Mike Ramey:
Sorry to hear about Paul. We enjoyed seeing both of you when you had my uncles ranch in Squaw Creek.
From Tina Hernandez :
Sharon and family, my heart aches with you as you mourn the passing of a dearly beloved soulmate, family man, and friend. May your memories of happy, fulfilling times together warm your hearts and bring you healing peace.
From Lewis (Lewie) Abrams:
Paul was a best friend since third grade at Pioneer School, about 83 years. I will miss him dearly, I send my love and sincere condolences to Sharon and the entire family.
From Rachel Mattocks:
Wish God would've let me have you forever. Love you Grandpa.
From Andrew Maestas:
Sharon and family. My condolences to you.
From Norvel and Karen Christenson:
Dear Sharon and all the May family, especially Kathryn, whom we know the best. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Paul better these past months. He is the perfect kind of person, firm in his faith, faithful and loving to his family, and always full of smiles and laughter that brightened the life of anyone who was fortunate enough to be with him. God bless you, Sharon and all of the family during this tender time as you mourn his loss.
From Ken and Sharon Baily:
Such a wonderful man passing is sad, but he has passed his final test. We will miss him coming to get fresh tomatoes for your sandwiches but we will see that you have all you need. Know that we will truly miss him and his humor. Love to you and to him. He is a giant of a man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
From Marilyn Wall:
Sharon, these guys just can't hold it together! Love to you and yours.
From Dee and Julie Hunsaker :
Sharon,
We are so sorry to hear about Paul. We’ve really enjoyed being friends and we’ll miss him much. Our condolences to you and your family.
From Dee and Billie Gifford :
Our life, Billie and I, were blessed to know this great couple. Thoughts and prayers are with Sharon as she goes forward with life.
From Marilyn Moncur Blacker:
Sharon, I am sorry to hear about Paul’s death. He was a very fine man and good friend to many. May you find peace and comfort in your wonderful memories of a long life together.
From Robert Boren:
So many great memories together and so much help in so many ways, especially with Marj.. And I am certainly glad I haven't had to live without knowing the stories of his life with Sharon--unbelievable!
From Marege and Leonard Barendregt :
Sharon, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We love you and Paul and cherish the love and family ties through the years.
From Jeanie Abrams Davidson:
So sorry for your loss. Paul and my brother Louie were buddies for as long as I can remember. Paul was like family to us. My condolences.
From Haylee Smith (Larrys daughter):
One of the last of the storytellers is now gone. I'm so sorry Sister May. The whole Smith family has a great love and a ton of respect for you and Paul. My dad always spoke so highly of you two and rightfully so. Not many of Dads childhood stories were told without Pauls name being mentioned. It's times like this you're grateful for big families, and for their love and support to get you through.
From Wendy Price-Quam:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
From Jim and Tina Hawkins:
Sharon, so sorry to hear about Paul. We feel blessed to have known him. May God be with you and your family in your time of loss.
From Glenn and Susan Hunsaker :
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the May family. Paul was an amazing man and friend to all. Hugs Sharon.

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