JAMES DEVLIN, COCOA BEACH

James J. Devlin, 88, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2008 peacefully at home. Born June 4, 1920 in Bronx, New York, he was the son of Patrick and Katherine Devlin. Jim be came a long time resident of Florida in June, 1960 after a 22 year career in the U. S. Navy. He achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III and was a World War II combat veteran in the South Pacific.

After his retirement from the Navy he began a second career with Pan American. He traveled as far as South Africa to set up the missile tracking ships for the US space program. At the completion of this project, he went on to work as an engineer for NASA at Kennedy Space Center. Jim was involved in the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Shuttle programs.

He was the NASA representative aboard the Freedom and Liberty solid rocket recovery ships which he assisted in designing and putting into service. Jims final assignment with NASA was to oversee the training and mission operations of "his ships". Fifty two years after starting his working life with the US Navy in 1938, he was once again at sea when he retired from NASA in 1990.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Maureen Devlin; his son, John Devlin; his two daughter-in-laws, Karla Devlin and Sara Devlin; one grandson, James K. Devlin, two nieces, one nephew, and a host of lov ing relatives. Jim was preceded in death by his youngest son, Denis Devlin on May 2004.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 22nd, 5 - 7 p.m. at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, 101 N. Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 23rd at Our Saviours Catholic Church, 5301 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Assn., P.O. Box 84115, Dallas, TX 75284. You may sign Jims guest book at beckmanwilliamson.com.