|
Joseph D. 'JD' Collner Cocoa, FL QCWA # 36045 Chapter 66 |
 |
Joseph Dayton 'JD' Collner, beloved husband of Barbara Collner, went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2018. He was the father of Carolyn Collner Searcy and Richard Dayton Collner. He was preceded in death by his son Richard Dayton Collner. He was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and great grandfather of four great grandchildren. He was born in Dayton, OH on March 25, 1938 and raised in St. Petersburg and Winter Haven, FL. He received his General Class Amateur Radio License at age 15 and was later awarded a plaque for his outstanding contributions to the shuttle.s first amateur radio operator in space. After high school, he served two years active duty with the US Navy from 1956 to 1958 as a Radioman and four years Naval Reserve.
In 1962, he graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor.s degree in Electrical Engineering. In July of that year, JD joined NASA MSC Florida Operations as AST and was proud to have worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Sky Lab, and Shuttle programs as Systems Engineer. This was a childhood dream to work in Space Travel. While working for NASA, he continued his education by earning his Master.s degree in Management from Florida State University in 1981. Prior to his retirement from NASA in 1997 after 35 years, JD continued his work with the space programs as both Section Chief of NAVAIDS and Branch Chief of Communications and Tracking Group. Following his retirement he worked with the Brevard County School System as a Computer Technician, and also taught Consumer Math in another private high school.
JD had a special love for classical and choral music and participated in as many chorale groups as possible. In years past, he was also a member of the Thanks quartet at the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, FL and Indian River via de Cristo group since 1984. By so many of his friends and family, JD was considered an upstanding man of integrity and truth.
Those that worked at NASA were known to have said 'we were doing what other people dreamed of'.
'I have been blessed beyond measure with a wonderful wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. God is good'. - JD Collner