Charles Broughton - Cocoa Beach

Charles A. Broughton, 81, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 16, 2010. He was born May 2, 1928 in Wellington, AL to the late Samuel A. and Esther Brittain Broughton.

Charles graduated from Alexandria High School, Alexandria, AL in 1946 and began his career with the Department of Defense in 1947. Charles and his family relocated to Brevard County in 1955 where he resided with his beloved wife, Jimmie for 54 years until she passed in 2004. Charles retired from NASA Kennedy Space Center in 1986 after a career in the Space Program that started in 1964. He began his 38 years in government service in 1947 with the Department of Defense, Anniston, Alabama .

In 1955 he accepted a promotion to Patrick AFB, Department of Defense and later joined the NASA Kennedy Space Center Supply Operation where he supported the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle Programs.

He is survived by three sons, Barry (Marce) Broughton, Garry (Peggy) Broughton, and Rodney (Carol) Broughton; eight grandchildren, Brandi, Dennis, Jenna, and Rodney Broughton Jr., Shannon Sweeney, Michael Ramsey, Deborah Skinner, and Jennifer Grace; five great-grandchildren, Shawn Ramsey, Jacqueline and Jonathan Skinner, and Andrew and Logan Sweeney; brother, William Broughton of Wellington, AL; and sister, Lavinia Broughton of Niceville, FL. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie, in 2004, and his daughter, Janice Ramsey in 2009.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Cape Canaveral Hospital and Hospice of Health First who spent many hours giving our beloved father the wonderful and loving care that he deserved.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2010 at Florida Memorial Funeral Home, with funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 23rd at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Rd., Melbourne, FL 32904. Florida Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.