It’s the end of the road for gravel business owner

LAUREL — A long-time Laurel businessman is retiring and his business has closed its doors.

Leon May is retiring after more than 50 years in business - first with Laurel Ready Mix and most recently with Laurel Sand & Gravel.

May started Laurel Ready Mix in 1970 after several people encouraged him.

“Farmers asked me if I would consider it. They couldn’t get concrete delivered to them when they wanted it,” he said.

The plant on North Highway 20 was “a piece of junk” - not complete, May said. He had to fashion a cone bottom for the cement silo and weld three 55-gallon barrels together to hold water used in the mixers, along with electrical work to get the business up and running.

May said he owes a lot to those who helped him in the early days including the late Allen “Digger” Broderson. Farmers made up his main customer base along with small contractors.

May operated the Ready Mix business until he sold it in 1998 to Gerhold Concrete after he could no longer keep up with demand.

“I was tired of fighting it and decided to get out,” May said.

He started hauling scrap iron with his brother, Marvin, and also sand and gravel.

Now, looking back on his 50 years in business, May said he’s got plenty of memories - some good and some bad.

The Ready Mix business was good through the ‘70s. But on April 4, 1979, there was a fire in the repair shop in which May was burned. The repair shop was rebuilt later that year.

He’s thankful for his many years in business and is looking forward to taking it easy in retirement.

“It’s good to be in a small community and to have the support of the community,” May said.