Richard Allen "Wolfie" May

Richard Allen “Wolfie” May passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with Advanced Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by the love of his family. Wolfie was born in Knoxville on May 10, 1951, to Etta Mae May and Richard Lee May. Upon graduation from West High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, which serves as the primary helicopter base on the East Coast. Wolfie later went through officer training and joined the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, initially working undercover targeting organized crime. It was during that time he started using the nickname “Wolfie” as his cover. After his time as an undercover officer, he went on to hold various leadership roles throughout the Sherrif’s Office, including heading up the juvenile crime division, leading the Grand Jury in narcotics education, and educating the community on drug related crime. He retired in 2018 as Assistant Chief Deputy. Wolfie will be remembered for his love of family, strong character, and the example he set through hard work, devotion, and his willingness to always help others. His legacy lives on in the lives he shaped and the values he passed down. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Clark May; brother, Joe (Kathy) May; sons, Robbi (Denna) Kelly, Steven (Courtney) May, Shane (Wendy) May; daughter, Claire Williams; grandchildren, Michael (Lauralee) Kelly, Brianna (Jason) Belt, Taylor (Jonathan) Martin, Madison (Thomas) May, Hunter May, Eli May, Connor May, Taylor May, and Raelyn May; great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Emma Kelly, Waylon, Wyatt, and Zoey Belt, Liam, Aria, and Emma Martin; and sisters-in-law, Mary (Al) Bedinger, Paula (Michael) Mitchell, and Susan (Brick) Rainey. The family would like to thank the staff at Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home and caregiver Amber Dawson for their loving care of Wolfie. Wolfie was deeply loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and calling him friend. The family will receive friends at Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann Chapel on Sunday from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., with a service to follow at 5:00 p.m. Family and friends will then gather on Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 am at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann for a procession to East Tennessee State Veterans’ Cemetery for the interment service. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Knoxville, 510 W. Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.

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Richard Allen "Wolfie" May

May 10, 1951 - February 18, 2026