Jose Lacambra

1931 - 2016

Lacambra, Jose 85, died peacefully September 21, 2016 at his home in Winter Park, FL. He was born February 18, 1931 to Luis Lacambra and Laura Loizu Lacambra in Ilo Ilo, Philippine Islands. Both parents were native Spaniards from the Basque region of northern Spain, and the family lived in the Philippines under Japanese occupation. The family returned to Spain, where Jose served in the Spanish army in North Africa and worked for a shipping company in Bilbao and Paris. In 1957 he came to the US and studied at Gettysburg College and Duke University, where he earned his PhD in nuclear physics. In 1960 he married Ann Chambliss of Chattanooga, TN. The family moved to Orlando in 1966, where he worked with Lockheed Martin Aerospace in the Missile Systems Division developing new advanced missile technology. He retired as Technical Director of an advanced version of the Patriot Missile System. In retirement, he wrote and published three books: first, his memories of growing up in WWII; second, a saga of his Basque ancestors; and finally, an autobiography for his children and grandchildren. After tennis, he took up golf and enjoyed many years with friends at the Winter Park Golf Club. He and Ann traveled extensively and spent time abroad with their children and grandchildren. Some of his best memories were from backpacking and trout fishing in the Rockies with his children, cooking for family gatherings, and spending time with his eight grandchildren, for whom he was "Aita". Jose was preceded in death by his brother Luis and sister-in-law, Betsy Chambliss Mclean. He is survived by Ann, his beloved wife of 56 years, his children, Dr. John Lacambra and wife Rebeca of Seattle; Laura Lacambra Shubert and husband John M. Shubert of Orlando; and Dr. Mark Lacambra and wife Deirdre of Seattle; and by grandchildren, Jac, Will, and Alexandra Shubert; Lucas, Matthew, and Olivia Lacambra; and Sophia and Jack Lacambra. He is survived by his two sisters, Sor Maria Blanca Lacambra of Puerto Rico and Maite Lacambra of Madrid; his sister-in-law, Maria Teresa Agudo Lacambra of Spain, and his brother-in-law, John Chambliss III of Cumming, GA. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and good friends. In his own words, he said, "I was given a charmed life". A requiem mass will be held at Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 4PM Friday, October 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N Park Avenue, Winter Park, 32789, or Mead Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 1227, Winter Park, 32789