- Date Of Birth: July 11, 1924
- Date Of Death: December 30, 2016
- State: Mississippi
Harry M. Johnstone Jr., 92, of Carriere ,Mississippi, died peacefully at his home on December 30, 2016. Harry was born in Carbon Hill, Alabama to Harry M. Johnstone Sr. and Erin Johnstone. He was preceded in death by his parents and three of his sons.Harry left home to attend Auburn University in the fall of 1941 with dreams of becoming an airline pilot only to find himself leaving to join the war effort on the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, December 8, 1941. At age 19 he became the youngest flight instructor in the Army Air Corps.Harry returned to Auburn in 1949 to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering. Afterwards Harry continued to serve in the Army Missile Command, later to become NASA in 1960.Harry entered into the frantic race to beat Russia to the moon and played a significant part in this endeavor. He was appointed by his hero, Dr. Werner Von Braun, as manager of rocket engine testing in Huntsville, Alabama. Harry’s vigilance helped America succeed in landing a man on the moon in July of 1969. He retired from NASA in 1975 after 30 years of service to his country. He continued to do consulting for several aerospace contractors in the years thatfollowed.Harry is survived by wife, Wilda (Dimple) Johnstone, son Michael and wife Gayle, and their three children–Gregory and wife Jaquelyn (Jackie), Caitlin, and Zachary Johnstone. Stepson Ron Whitfield and wife Kay, their children and wives Jonathan and Jennifer, Colby and Heather, and four great-grandchildren–Caroline,Ross, Justin, and Kate Whitfield. Grandchildren, Jeremy Hayes and wife Christi, Adam Hayes and wife Margaret, 2 Great Grandchildren, Claire and Avery Hayes….
Source link
