Obituary - Ephraim H. Evans May

Ephraim H. Evans May of Elkford, British Columbia (BC), Canada, passed away August 22, 2023.

He was born April 21, 1943, in Havre, MT, to Conrad and Frances (Evans) May of Inverness, MT, and was the youngest of six children.

He attended grades 1-12 in Inverness and fondly reminisced about his school years and friends. His love for sports was born during these formative years, especially football and track. He was proud to say that he still held the record for the 100-yard dash. Following graduation in 1961, Ephraim began working in construction and farming for his brother.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965 and was stationed in Germany, where he was quickly recruited to run for the Army track team in Kaiserslautern, which became Europe's best military track team. He also filled his time with carpentry around the base and writing letters to Jean Graff, whom he had started to date just before enlistment. Their love grew through those regular long-distance communications.

In April 1965, Ephraim purchased his first farm in Etzikom, AB, and October 2, 1965, wed his long-time pen pal and love, Jean Graff, in Chester, MT. The newlyweds lived on the farm for 16 years and were blessed with five of their six children. 

The next stop of the adventure was Kalispell, MT, where they were blessed with their sixth child. By 1986, Ephraim felt the itch to return to farming and purchased land in Valleyview, AB, where he moved his family in 1989. By 2000, Ephraim and Jean sold everything and retired. They split their time between Cowley, AB, Elkford, BC, and Buckeye, Arizona, until his death.

Ephraim enjoyed baseball, basketball, curling, bowling, and archery, especially hunting and fishing. He was competitive and was always up for a challenge - if he knew he would win. He challenged many to drag races or climb to the top of the mountain race. "Work hard,  play hard" was his life motto.

He will be remembered for his exhilarating rides chasing coyotes across the prairies, his artful eye for landscape design or decorating his vehicles, the thrill of a good negotiation, and his love for competition! 

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Jean (Graff) May; children, Janette May of Bozeman, MT; Rodney (Stephanie) May of Kalispell, MT; Craig (Kristi) May of Bozeman, MT; Yvonne (Jake Christiansen) May of Whitefish, MT; and Tyson May of Edmonton, AB, as well as 10 grandkids. He is survived by his brother Conrad May and several in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Ephraim is preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Frances May; brother David May; sister FloraAnn and brother-in-law Frank Aevermann; brother Leo May; sister Annette and brother-in-law Larry Riley; parents-in-law, Eldon and Margaret Graff; brother-in-law Audie Collins; and son Daniel May. 

Cremation was done by Snodgrass Funeral Home of Pincher Creek, AB. Prayer vigil and refreshments will be held at 7:00 p.m. September 22, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, MT. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. September 23, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, with burial and lunch following. He will be laid to rest beside his son Daniel at the Joplin, MT, cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give in honor to your favorite charity.