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Waldo "Jim" Bither Jr.

1937 - 2005

Waldo "Jim" Bither Jr.

1937 - 2005

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1937

DIED

2005

About

Georgia Tech University of Texas

Waldo Bither Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 6, 2005.

Waldo "Jim" Bither Jr., 67, a retired software engineer at Lockheed Martin with 36 years of service, passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer Thursday, March 3, 2005, in Fort Worth.

Funeral: 3:30 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: may be made to Genesis United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Waldo was born Aug. 28, 1937, in Shreveport, La., to Waldo and Sue Bither. After graduating from San Antonio Burbank High School in 1955, he studied engineering and math at Georgia Tech and the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 1959 with a B.A. in mathematics.

After graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After completing U.S. Army airborne school he was stationed in Germany with the Corps of Engineers for two years. Waldo obtained an M.A. in mathematics from the University of Texas in 1963 and began his career with General Dynamics.

During his career he worked primarily on the F-111 and the F-16 programs. He particularly enjoyed his last five years working on the European trainer program.

Waldo's hobbies included golf, running and working on his "junk cars" with his son, Greg. Together he and Greg rebuilt five engines.

Waldo enjoyed working on his golf game, but, most of all, he enjoyed the company of his many golfing friends, including the staff at LMRA driving range. He took several golf vacations over the past few years, most of which were with his son, Philip. One of the high points was playing Ballybunion and Waterville last summer in Ireland with Philip. At age 47, Waldo finished the 1985 Cowtown Marathon in under four hours.

After being diagnosed with cancer five years ago, his most treasured moments were time spent with his grandchildren, Lily, Lara, Daniel, Andrew and, most recently, Livia.

Survivors: Beloved wife of 41 years, Barbara; children, Philip Bither, Lisa Garton and Greg Bither; son-in-law, Lyle Garton; daughter-in-law, Larissa Bither; sister, Linda Hendrix; adopted brother, Jack Ikenaga; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Recent Activity

March 9, 2005

Jesse Smith posted to the memorial.

March 8, 2005

Dr. Don Smith posted to the memorial.

March 7, 2005

Richard Teichgraeber posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Jesse Smith

March 9, 2005

I knew Waldo for over 20 years. During that time I looked to him as a dear friend, mentor, and even a father figure, my own father having passed away 17 years ago. I was blessed to have known him and will miss him greatly. May God bless his family during this difficult time.

Dr. Don Smith

March 8, 2005

I enjoyed working with Waldo in the

Flight Simulation Lab at GD. He told many stories about golf, running, more golf, his family, more golf, ...

Waldo was fun to work with. I will miss him.

Richard Teichgraeber

March 7, 2005

Waldo, we will miss seeing you at the LMRA dricng range. Anton & I were just talking last week that we had not seen you in a while. You and I used to play at Squaw Creek GC for many years until you moved in town. It has to have been a difficult ordeal the last several years. I had two other friends that had the same cancer. At least you aren't suffering anymore. Best wishes to your wife and family in this loss.

Please send a mailing address - I would like to send the family a card.

Sincerely, an old golfing friend,

Jerry Treybig

March 6, 2005

Waldo and I go back many, many years. I first met him in 1949, when my family moved to our mew house on Ross Ave., just down the street from where Walso lived. We went through Junior High School and High School together at Burbank. We were best friends. We hardly ever went anywhere or did any thing without being together. We were both avid New York Yankee fans. One time when the Yankees came to town during spring training, we cut school to see them play one afternoon at Mission Stadium. We had to sit in center field, as it was a sell out. That was OK, because we were close to Mickey Mantle, the Yankees centerfielder. Waldo and I were also room mates at Texas our junior year. I loved him like my brother and I will miss him terribly.