Kalen May

Kalen Jean May was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma on January 7th, 1951, the 3rd child of James R. and Lucretia May Harris. She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1969 and married Rick May on June 20th, 1970. Kalen and Rick graduated with associate degrees from Northern Oklahoma College in 1971, then moved to Oklahoma City and continued their education at Central State University. After graduating from college, Kalen worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in procurement. While she worked for the FAA, Rick and Kalen earned their pilot’s licenses. In addition to their shared passion for aviation, they valued time spent with family and friends and enjoyed almost 13 years of marriage before having their first child, Rick Jr., in 1983.

Kalen and Rick began construction on a cabin outside of Lake City, Colorado in 1983 and completed the construction in 1984. Kalen and her family spent almost every 4th of July in Lake City and made countless memories in the San Juan Mountains over the years. She went on hikes with her children and grandchildren, took plenty of photographs and relished spending time reading and napping in the hammock. Kalen and her family moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1986, one year after the birth of their second son, Zach. Kalen began working for the University of Northern Colorado in the 1990s and served as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Michener Library until she retired in January of 2017. Kalen was an incredible asset to the university and grew close with coworkers, building friendships that would last the rest of her life.

Kalen’s life changed forever with the birth of her first grandchild in 2012. Kalen and Rick were both exceptionally attentive and loving grandparents and were happiest when spending time with their granddaughters, Emma and Mackenzie. Reinvigorated by the birth of her 3rd granddaughter in 2024, Kalen saw Bodhi Jo take her first steps and spent her last Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Colorado mountains with Rick Jr. and his family. Her grandchildren all helped make every occasion special for Kalen, now Grandma.

Kalen passed peacefully from complications with ALS-PDC on May 21st, 2025. She is survived by her son, Rick Jr. and daughter-in-law Kendall, their three daughters Emma, Mackenzie and Bodhi Jo of Lake City, CO, and her son Zach, of Marshall, OK. She is also survived by her brother David of Yukon, OK and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Kalen was preceded in death by her husband, Rick May, her parents, James R. and Lucretia May Harris, and her brothers, Ron and Ken Harris.

The family is hosting a Celebration of Life for Kalen at 14501 S. Hwy 74, Marshall, OK 73056 on Saturday, August 16th starting at 4pm. Please reach out to Rick Jr., Kendall or Zach for further information.