Clifford Earl May Jr.

 Clifford Earl May Jr, a dear and devoted husband and father, went home to be with the Lord peacefully at home in Surprise, Arizona on November 11th, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born in East Peoria, Illinois, to parents Clifford Earl May Sr. and Loretta (Huskey) May on March 20th, 1936.  Clifford's family moved to Rock Island Illinois when he was 6 or 7 years old and during his teens, he helped his father build a home in East Moline, IL.  Clifford was drafted into the Army in 1959 and served as a Teletype Operator sending/receiving Morse code.  Clifford was honorably discharged in 1961 when his mother got sick so he could be home when she passed away.  He lived in the Illinois Quad Cities for most of his life and had many family members, friends, and memories there. In 2016 he moved to be in the warmer climate of Sun City, Arizona, where he made many memories and friends at church and played pool in the Glendale Senior Community Center.

Clifford met the love of his life, Margie (Garmon) May at church and they married on September 5th, 1964.  They had two daughters, Julie (John) Adkins and Amy (Patrick) Rea.

Clifford loved God and loved to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He started working at John Deere Foundry in 1963, where he was known as “Preacher”, retiring early in 1990 to work fulltime at the church.  He was a faithful member at Whole Truth Tabernacle in Moline/Silvis Illinois, serving as Associate Pastor and Secretary/Treasurer.  In the late ‘60s to mid-‘70s, he served as Youth Pastor and, for a short time, was Sunday School Director.

Clifford was known for his quick wit and always had a twinkle in his eye.  He never met a stranger and was always quick to help anyone in need.  He loved spending time with family, working at the church, playing a round of golf with friends, fishing for big walleye in Canada, and enjoyed his westerns and watching sports.

Clifford is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Margie; his daughters, Julie and Amy; grandsons, Anthony Adkins, Jordan Adkins, Prestyn Rea, Cadyn Rea and Masyn Rea; his sisters, Becky McKeag Mallee and Loreen Frazer; his brother-in-law, LaVern (Laura) Garmon; sisters-in-law, Coral (Steve) Clark and Sheryl (Ken) Himebaugh and many nieces, nephews and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Virginia Kelly; his brother, Larry May; father-in-law, Gillus Garmon; mother-in-law, Essie (Huff) Garmon and his brother-in-law, Wesley Garmon.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary, Ltd., East Moline, IL.  Burial will follow at The Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL.  Visitation will at 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2023 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.

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