John W. Redmon, Sr., of Huntsville, AL, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2022. Born in Pike County, Al April 28, 1935. He was survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth; his children: John W. Redmon, Jr, and Patricia Jenerick (David); his grandchildren: Andrew Isbell, Mathew Isbell (Heather), Wesley Patterson, and Rosalyn Patterson; step grandchildren: Katie, Tyler, Courtney, Mallory, and Lindsey; brothers: William C. (Cathy) Redmon, and Cecil D. (Linda) Graves.
He was preceded in his death by parents: William C. Redmon, and Mae V. Graves; his step father Charles D. Graves; and his daughter Susan C. Redmon. He graduated from Hawkinsville, Ga high school in 1953. He graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. He worked
for the Air Force out of college then moved over to NASA in 1961.
His career at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) involved long hours and hard work in the 60s and 70s. These long hours did not preclude him being the best husband and father one could want. This included being a Little League baseball coach when "expansion," due to too many players, required a new coach. Similarly, for Ballet, Cheerleading, Piano, etc. At the Marshall Space Flight Center, he had a distinguished career and was privileged to work with some of the best, brightest, and hard working engineers in this country. He would emphasize the "hard working" part and downplay the term "bright." His work at NASA/MSFC was something he held dearly, as well as the enduring friendships he made along the way...whether you were a scientist, engineer, machinist, or janitor. He treated everyone with dignity, love, respect, and a bit of humor.
While at NASA/MSFC, he worked on The Saturn Program, follow-on SkyLab, Space Shuttle and Solid Rocket Booster, Hubble Space Telescope, International Space Station, James Webb Telescope, and too many secondary payloads and experiments to mention. He was active in the Aerospace Mechanism Symposium (AMS), and presented/chaired various topics/sessions related to this over the years. He retired in 1995, but not before receiving Marshall Space Flight Center's highest honor for a Design Engineer: 1990 NASA/MSFC Inventor of the Year, for work relating to a metrology device used to ensure integrity of the Solid Rocket Booster field joint after the Challenger failure. He was a member of Mayfair Church of Christ . He loved his God, his church, his family, and his friends.
Visitation for John will be held Friday, December 9, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. Following the visitation will be a the celebration of life service at 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home Chapel, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be made in his Mr Redmons name to: AGAPE of North Alabama, Child Haven, or Mayfair Ministries. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Redmon family.
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