The following is a list of notable deaths in May 1985. Entries for each day are listed alphabetically by surname. A typical entry lists information in the following sequence: Name, age, country of citizenship at birth, subsequent country of citizenship (if applicable), reason for notability, cause of death (if known), and reference. == May 1985 == === 1 === Sir Basil Arthur, 56, New Zealand politician, MP (since 1962). Joseph H. Barnett, 53, American politician, member of the South Dakota H…