John Clemons Jr., aerospace engineer, author
John (Jack) Clemons Jr., 80, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at his home in Lewes, after a tough battle with Alzheimer's.
He was born in Harrisburg, Pa., to John and Kathryn (Suity) Clemons. He spent his early years in York, Pa., and Dania, Fla., graduating from South Broward High School.
Jack almost never met a stranger, always chatty, outgoing, and friendly to people he encountered in day-to-day life. He was witty, charming, and clever, embracing opportunities to be playful. Jack had a passion for music, movies, great food, and travel. Among his favorites were science fiction films, Wyatt Earp, jazz, and all things Florida Gators. He pursued memorable experiences in life and often gave experiences as gifts to others.
Jack earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from University of Florida. Upon hearing John F. Kennedy announce, “We will go to the moon,” he joined TRW Systems in Houston as an engineer on the Apollo Moon program. Following Apollo, he joined IBM Federal Systems in Houston as the program manager for the development of the onboard software for NASA’s Space Shuttle program.
After that project, Jack moved to Bethesda, Md., where he became senior vice president of engineering at Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Control. His organization designed and implemented the hardware and software to modernize the FAA's nationwide Air Traffic Control System, the United Kingdom’s London Area Air Traffic Control Centre, as well as systems in Scotland, Eastern Europe, South America, and New Zealand.
After retiring from Lockheed Martin, Jack relocated to Lewes, where he was an aerospace consultant, speaker on NASA's space programs, and photographer for the weekly Cape Gazette food column Cape Flavors. He achieved his dream of publishing a book with his memoir, “Safely to Earth: The Men and Women Who Brought the Astronauts Home.” His final writing project was publication of a hidden-history book “The Outliers,” a Wild West novel set in Lewes.
Jack was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Mary Sunday, all of York, Pa. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Denise of Lewes; sons, Paul (Bridget) of Wakefield, Mass., and David (Rebecca) of Friendswood, Texas; grandchildren, Nicole and Daniel; his cats, Virgil and Allie; cherished nieces and nephews, and many dear friends who shared adventures with him.
Jack’s family would like to thank the wonderful team at the Compass Memory Unit of the Lodge at Historic Lewes for their compassion and care.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 14, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, P.O. Box 185, Nassau, DE 19969.
Anyone unable to attend the services may view the livestream at parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11408393/LTWebcast.
Visit Jack's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
Goodbye, Rocket Man!
