- May 2 Jack Kemp, Jack Kemp, American NFL player and politician (Rep-R-NY 1971-89, US Secretary of Housing 1989-93, VP candidate 96), dies of cancer at 73
- May 7 Tony Marsh, English auto racer (record 6 x British Hill Climb Championship), dies from breathing complications at 77
- May 8 Dom DiMaggio, American baseball outfielder, 1940-53 (Boston Red Sox), co-founder of New England Patriots, dies at 92
- May 9 Chuck Daly, American Basketball Hall of Fame coach (2-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons), dies of pancreatic cancer at 78
- May 14 Bob Rosburg, American golfer, broadcaster (PGA Championship 1959), dies of head injuries from a fall at 82
- May 15 Wayman Tisdale, American basketball player and smooth jazz bassist, dies from the effects of cancer at 44
- May 26 Peter Zezel, Canadian professional hockey player (b. 1965)
- May 27 Ammo Baba, Iraqi football player and coach, dies at 74
- May 29 Karine Ruby, French snowboarder and Olympic champion (b. 1978)
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions