John R. Admire, 79, of Huntsville passed away January 21, 2018. John was born near Okmulgee, Oklahoma and was a graduate of Okmulgee High School in 1956. John attended Oklahoma State University Engineering School, graduating in January 1960 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He was employed by McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, MO for a short time as a stress analyst after graduation from OSU. John left McDonald Aircraft for the opportunity to join NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in August 1960. He worked for NASA until retiring in January of 1997. While working at NASA’s MSFC, he participated in all the major programs including Saturn I, Saturn1B, Saturn V and Shuttle. John was also involved in several smaller programs. He developed the methods to predict the structural dynamic loads and vibrations the various vehicles and payloads would experience during space flight. Under NASA sponsorship, John attended The University of Alabama on campus in Tuscaloosa and at the campus in Huntsville. John received a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics in 1969. He received a Snoopy Award for his contribution to the success of the first Space Shuttle flight STS-1, which was presented to him by the crew, astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen. John was also awarded the NASA EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE MEDAL in 1988.
John liked to garden and build and fly radio controlled model airplanes. He enjoyed meeting with his fellow retirees for lunch every Tuesday.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Jacob Admire; mother, Anna Lamons Admire; sisters, Eileen Burton and Imogene Lenox.
Survivors include his wife, Heidrun Voss Admire; his daughter, Jennifer Leigh Crisp and husband, Brian; grandson, Jonathan Crisp; granddaughter, Juliette Crisp all of Aragon, GA; a sister, Charlene Hosey (JW) of Tulsa, OK; and special nieces, Janet Lenox, Lynne Hosey, Annette Stewart, and Brenda Francis from OK.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Pastor Brian Crisp officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
