City of Springfield visionary Fred May dies

Fred May, a city of Springfield visionary and Ozark Greenways founding member, died Tuesday at age 63.

May died of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, which he was diagnosed with in spring 2006, according to the city's blog. Information on funeral services is not yet available.

May joined city staff in 1980 and became director of planning and development in 1985. In 1993, he was named special assistant to the city manager, with the task of developing a long-range planning process, later known as Vision 20/20. He spent four years in that role, guiding some 350 volunteers and city staff who worked in focus groups looking at Springfield's future, according to the city.

He returned to his post as planning director, but in May 2003, he jumped in to help with recovery efforts when a tornado devastated the city of Stockton. That led him to retire from the city and take a full-time position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the local recovery manager in Stockton. He continued to work under contract with Springfield on a five-year update of Vision 20/20.

May also had a vision for a trail system that would connect across Springfield and Greene County for cyclists and pedestrians, and he helped found the Ozark Greenways organization. On Dec. 16, 2006 - May's birthday - Ozark Greenways dedicated the Fred May Plaza, a rest stop along the South Creek trail, west of the McDaniel Trailhead at National Avenue and Sunset Street.[[In-content Ad]]