James Michael May

James "Jim" Michael May, 75, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away on February 11, 2026, from complications of Parkinson's.

He was born on August 5, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York, to Eugene J. and Ruth T. (Lynch) May. A graduate of Boston College, Jim earned two PhDs in Forensic and Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Illinois. He also earned a master's degree from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he met both Janet Ruth Smith and Julia Holmaas.

Jim and Janet married in 1985, shortly before the birth of their only child, Christopher James May. In 1991, Jim and Janet drove from South Bend, Indiana to Palmer, Alaska, where Jim opened a family psychology practice. Jim and Janet were enchanted by the beauty and majesty of Alaska. At the time, Jim was the only neuropsychologist in the state, so he traveled widely, including to small bush villages. He specialized in working with children and veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

Janet passed away in 2003. In 2010, Jim married Julia Holmaas in Seward, Alaska. Shortly after their marriage, Jim joined Julia in Indiana, where they lived until his death.

Jim and Julia traveled the world together, visiting Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Greece, Ireland, and Israel, among many other destinations. When not traveling, Jim and Julia split their time between Indiana and Shady Valley, Tennessee, where Jim loved to spend time outside, sitting under big trees and listening to the stream that ran across their property.

Jim was kind, caring, and easy to be around. He always had a smile and a bad joke to make you laugh. With his marriage to Julia, Jim began making art, including photography, watercolors, and ceramics. Today his art fills the home of his son and grandchildren. Alongside Julia, Jim was an active board member of the Art Barn School of Art until the time of his death.

He loved being in nature and taking care of the land, from maintaining the Art Barn facilities to relocating spruce saplings in the Alaska wilderness to help them thrive. Aside from his family, Jim was most proud of his work in Alaska with Sylvan Learning Centers, which he opened in Wasilla to offer education services to the community.

Jim is survived by his wife, Julia; his son, Chris; and his two granddaughters, Maya May and Iris May, identical twins who at three and a half are already following in the footsteps of their grandfather by telling terrible jokes.

Memorial donations, in Jim's name, can be made to VNA Hospice NWI (at www.vnanwi.org) or the Art Barn School of Art (at www.artbarnschool.org)

The family is planning a celebration of life at the Art Barn on August 5, 2026. If you are interested in attending, please contact jholmaas@gmail.com.

Condolences may be shared online at www.cutlercares.com.