James Crowell

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — James (Jim) L. Crowell, 83, passed away on Feb. 18, 2017, at his home in Titusville, after suffering a stroke several months ago. Jim was born on Aug. 29, 1933, to Claude P. and Myra Crowell in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he grew up. Jim was active in the Boy Scouts of America achieving its highest honor of becoming an Eagle Scout. Jim began his collegiate education in 1951 at the University of Tennessee, located in Knoxville, Tenn. He withdrew in 1953 to join the U.S. Air Force where he was trained for flight status as an Airborne Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) operator. After 3 years and 7 months, he volunteered for an early out to re-enter college. He entered the University of Chattanooga (now called the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), being awarded the Bachelor of Arts, with a Major in Physics. Jim completed numerous technical courses while employed with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). While during his first tour with NASA and after a brief period of unemployment with NASA, he graduated with a Master of Business Administration and a Major in Engineering Management from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. While employed by the U.S. Airforce, he was a student with Florida Southern College, out of Lakeland, Fla., and Trinity University (now associated with the University of Texas) at San Antonio, Texas. In 1961, Jim moved to Titusville, Fla., and began his long career with NASA as an Electrical Engineer at the Kennedy Space Center where he retired after 30+ years of service and dedication to NASA. While Jim was employed at KSC he received numerous Recognition and Outstanding Achievement Awards. After retirement from KSC, he acted as a consultant to Rockwell International at Cape Canaveral, Fla. During his tenure at KSC, Jim was associated with the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. Jim served on the City of Titusville Planning and Zoning Commission for over 12 years. In Jim’s spare time before and after retirement, he and his wife would spend a lot of time remodeling real estate properties and traveling to their second home in Tennessee. Jim also enjoyed sharing his experiences at KSC with his daughter, who also works at KSC. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Shelley Crowell; his daughter, Cindy Ward- St. John (Rick), of Rainsville, Ala.; two grandchildren, Matthew Ward (Jenny), of Perkinston, Minnesota, and Shannon Ward, of Cocoa, Fla. Jim also had six great-grandchildren, Hailey, Mackenzie, Cameron, Tucker, Jase and Charlee. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Patterson Crowell and mother, Myra Hoover Crowell. At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral service after his cremation. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com.