Ronald Wayne Sockwell passed away August 28, 2017 at the age of 82. Ronald was born December 14, 1934 in Tuscumbia, Alabama to Glenn and Jean Sockwell. He married Carolyn Lowery in 1954 at the age of 19, and they spent the first part of their marriage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958 from the University of Alabama. Ronald and Carolyn eventually settled in Huntsville, Alabama and raised three children, Pamela Sockwell Mellon, Rhonda Sockwell Dickens, and Darryl Wayne Sockwell. He worked thirty years for NASA and spent his early years working on key electrical components of Apollo. Family vacations were sometimes spent at Cape Canaveral, Florida to watch Apollo missions. Ronald’s career progressed at NASA from Apollo to Skylab and ultimately to the Space Shuttle missions. After retiring from NASA he worked the next ten years at Boeing assisting in the preparation, launch and commissioning of the International Space Station. Ronald was a true “Rocket Scientist” contributing many years to the space industry.
Ronald was a loyal husband of 62 years to his beautiful wife. He was a committed family man who taught his children the importance of hard work and commitment. He faithfully served God as the head of his household, and that will continue to be carried out by his three children as well.
In addition to his wife and three children, he is survived by daughter-in-law, Julie Sockwell; son-in-law, Dave Mellon; 10 grandchildren: Carrie Clark, Jay Clark (Erica), Margaret Clark, Andrew Shelton, Matt Shelton, Jenny Dickens, Anna Dickens, Sarah Sockwell, Taylor Sockwell, and Jon Michael Sockwell; one great-grandson, Jax Clark; and two brothers, Glen Sockwell (Ann), and Gerald Sockwell (Gail); along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held on Friday September 1, 2017 from 10 am- 12 pm at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama. Graveside service will follow at 1 pm at Huntsville Memory Gardens in Huntsville, Alabama.
If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent to Hacienda of Hope, c/o Twickenham Church of Christ, 7500 Whitesburg Drive Huntsville, Al 35802.
