James John Hart Rockledge

James (Jim) John Hart, 75, long time resident of Rockledge, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2009. He was the son of Roy Blanks Hart and Essie Virginia Anderson Hart and stepson of Mary Elizabeth Edwards Hart. Born on July 15, 1933 in Spartanburg, SC he graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1951.

After graduation he joined the United State Air Force and was eventually stationed at Perrin AFB in Sherman, TX where he met and married his wife of 52 years, Jane Spindle Hart. While in the USAF he began his college career at Austin College in Sherman and in 1958 graduated from Clemson Uni versity, Clemson, SC, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation he began his aerospace career being employed by Hayes Aircraft Corporation in Birmingham, AL where he worked on the Jupiter C missile. He was transferred to Huntsville, AL where he worked on the Saturn rocket program.

In the summer of 1965 he transferred to the Kennedy Space Center working for NASA while continuing his work on the Saturn rocket programs. Following the completion of the Saturn programs he worked on the early design of the space shuttle and continued with the designs on the space station. After a successful career with NASA, including receiving the Exceptional Service Award, he retired in 1988. Following this retirement he worked for Grumman con tinuing his work on the space station plans. In August 1990 he went to work for McDonnell/Douglas (Boeing) working on the ground support equipment for the space station. Hefi nally retired in March 1997.

He enjoyed many activities including coaching Little League Baseball, helping with the Boy Scouts, playing softball in his churchs league, golfing, boating and square dancing with the Canaveral Squares Square Dance Club not to mention fishing off his dock.

He was a member of Rockledge United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife and three children, Marian H. Sasscer of Acworth, GA, James J. Hart, Jr. of N. Ferrisburgh, VT, Mark A. Hart of Rockledge; ten grandchildren, Rachael, Ryan, Rebecca, Christen and Stephen Sasscer, Jennifer, Maeghan and Melissa Hart, and Adam and Leigh Hart; two great grandchildren, Devon James Hart and Trenton Brown; and three sisters, Anne H. Johnson, of Co lumbia, SC, Mary Elizabeth Kurutz of Vero Beach, and Nancy H. Howe of Atlanta, GA.

Visitation will be held at Florida Memorial Funeral Home on US 1, Rockledge from 6-8 p.m. Monday March 30, 2009. Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Rockledge United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens on US 1, Rockledge, FL.

You may leave tributes at www.MEM.com in his name. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rockledge United Method ist Church or Vitas Health care Corp. (hospice service) 4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, FL.