Dr. Otto A. Lockee

Dr. Lockee graduated from high school in 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy's air arm. His squadron was involved in anti-submarine patrol duty along the Atlantic Coast at the height of the German Submarine activity. He learned to fly and often ferried planes from one location to another. Although not the pilot, he was a crash victim and spent several days in a life raft before being rescued. As WW II ended, he was discharged and returned to his home in North Carolina and assisted with farm work until an opening became available to enter Texas Christian University under the GI Bill where he received both Bachelor and Master degrees in science. He taught high school science and coached sports for a couple of years. After this he went to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was employed by Douglas Aircraft as a tool planner and tool engineer on our country's major missile and space programs, closely involved with NASA. This work took him to Los Angeles, Cape Kennedy, Grand Turk Island, Turkey and many other locations.

After several years of work in the space industry, he was employed as Vice President for Extended Education at the Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Otto earned a Doctor of Education Degree in 1980 and retired in 1986.

Otto was born into a family of bird hunters where everyone had a shotgun and a bird dog. He was known to own some hounds and enjoyed coon hunting. He had been active in his church and civic endeavors. In his retirement, he enjoyed working in his shop and yes, he still hunted. He enjoyed living life, simply and with his beloved wife, Nancy, watched a variety of wildlife in their peaceful retreat in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

Otto is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Lockee, one son, Robert M Lockee of Blacksburg, VA and his wife, Dr Barbara B Lockee, his brother Gary Lockee and his wife Sally and his sister Sylvia Taylor and her husband John of Ft Worth, Texas. His step sons, Frank M Stokes and his wife Amy Stokes, of Charlotte, Charles T Stokes of Denver, CO, Tammy Jones-Stokes and four grandchildren, Chase M Lockee of Blacksburg, VA, Grace Elizabeth Stokes, Alex F Stokes, Sara Hope Stokes from Charlotte and many close family friends and church brothers and sisters.

We sincerely hope that you remember Otto like we do. He was loved without measure, he was kind beyond words and as a very close family friend once said, "He is the best of us."