Clyde P. May

Clyde P. May, aged 102, passed away on Saturday, October 10, at his home at Canterbury Court in Atlanta, Georgia, with his daughter Alison by his side.

Clyde was born on November 6, 1923, to Alice Haag May and Clyde Pursley May Sr. in the Spanish-style home his family had recently built on Lake Elbert in Winterhaven, Florida. His childhood was filled with adventures in the family’s orange groves and spring-fed lakes. He often shared stories of searching for alligators by boat at night with friends, building rafts, and driving a Ford Model A as early as age 12. He fondly recalled listening for his mother’s call across the lake—“Boy-eez!”—summoning everyone home for dinner.

During Clyde’s high school years, water skiing was at its peak, and Winterhaven was home to Cypress Gardens, the water-skiing capital of the world. Clyde spent his teenage years jumping and performing on skis as a clown in the water shows. He even designed the original ski jump, which has remained largely unchanged since those days.

After graduating from Winterhaven High School, Clyde and his younger brother, Jack, attended Bolles Military School in Jacksonville, Florida, before enlisting in the Army Air Forces during World War II. The brothers completed single-engine flight training together in Miami, Denver, Santa Ana, and Phoenix. After earning their wings, they served as B-17 copilots, assigned to the same squadron in Rapid City, South Dakota, and later in Lincoln, Nebraska.

After the war, Clyde earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College and began his career with the Florida Citrus Commission. He moved to New York, where he represented Florida Citrus throughout a territory stretching from the Bronx to Lake Placid. He later became Assistant to the Director of Advertising for the Commission. It was an exciting time in advertising, as television was new, and Clyde enjoyed the creative aspects of the job.

In fact, Clyde always had an artist’s eye, perhaps inspired by his father, a professional portrait painter and illustrator. His creativity eventually led him to commercial photography. In 1963, he moved to Atlanta with his wife and two young children, purchased a building at Monroe Avenue and 10th Street for his studio, and founded Clyde May Photography. Clyde was a leading commercial advertising photographer and earned widespread respect for his work. Many Atlantans came to know him as the “Dean of Photography.”

Clyde married Jane Strickland in 1951, whom he had known from the early days at Cypress Gardens. Jane and Clyde shared a lifelong love of art. Their home brimmed over with their creative spirits and was filled at any time with flowers, painting, photographs, and projects. They were a great team, loved to travel, and enjoyed a happy marriage for 67 years until Jane’s passing.

A cradle Episcopalian, Clyde was a member of both Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Cathedral of Saint Philip in Atlanta. He and Jane contributed their many talents to their church communities and formed lasting friendships. On Sundays, Clyde could often be found ushering during Holy Eucharist. Clyde loved a good game, and he particularly loved ALTA tennis, which he continued playing well into his late 80s.

In her youth, Alison remembers water skiing on her father’s shoulders, sharing freshly sectioned Florida oranges with him as a bedtime snack, dancing on his feet, and closing her eyes to imagine stories together while listening to classical music. He was also a wonderful grandfather to her twin sons, Taylor and William. Clyde brought joy and generosity of spirit to everyone who knew him. Always ready with his quick humor and a smile, he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the warm community of Canterbury Court.

Clyde credited his longevity to his ability to reflect on himself and laugh at himself. One of his favorite mantras was, “Moderation in all things, but have fun!”

Clyde is survived by his daughter, Alison May Moran, of Highlands, North Carolina (Thomas Garic); his grandchildren, Taylor F. Jenkins of London, United Kingdom, William T. Jenkins of Knoxville, Tennessee (Anna), Thomas G. Moran Jr. of Atlanta (Macy), and Shawn J. Moran of Atlanta (Julie); his great-granddaughters Stella Jenkins and Vera Jenkins; and his great-grandchildren Jennings, Miles, Kinsey, Charlie, and Elizabeth; and his nieces and nephews, especially Karen and Leslie.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24th.