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JON McBRIDE Obituary
To celebrate his life and honor his achievements, the family encourages you to make a contribution to your favorite charity - with your time, talents, or money. Some of his favorite charities were the SPCA of Brevard County, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, the American Space Museum in Titusville, FL, alz.org, Phi Delta Theta Foundation, and the WVU Cancer Institute.
While John Denver sang that West Virginia was "almost heaven," Big Jon, having once again escaped gravity, lives now in actual heaven where we are sure there is an infinite supply of cherry pie, Guinness, and sushi.
We were always amazed but rarely surprised by the things he could accomplish. His final prayer request was for world peace, and his last words were, "Oh, boy!" as he watched a Kennedy Space Center rocket launch from his window.
Lobban Funeral is honored in being entrusted to serve the McBride family with the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JON McBRIDE
Ray Rogers
December 28, 2024
When I was attached to VX-4 in 1974 , Jon McBride was my division Officer. As an enlisted man, Jon was always kind and helpful to me. May he rest in peace.
Rodney K. Raines, WVU Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Bond # 565.
December 4, 2024
Big Jon,
I forgot to say - 'Yours in the BOND', Little Brother' !
God Bless You and your family ! ! ! ! RIP ! ! !
Rodney K. Raines, WVU Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Bond # 565.
December 4, 2024
I Was Jon's Big Brother in Phi Delta Theta at West Virginia Univ. We were roommates at the Phi Delt House in Morgantown. He and I were sitting in the 'Lair' when the Navy Captain came through and ask if 'any one in here like to take a jet ride?' Jon immediately stood up and volunteered for the ride. After the experience, Jon confided to me that he was going to transfer to the Naval Academy. Of course, I didn't dream of the 'future' that decision made for him. Vietnam honors, flying career, space career, and a very successful liffe.
I might also mention that he was one of my seven 'little brothers' in my wedding to Sandra Reed, of Beckley, WV at the Beckley Methodist Church.
I am so proud of him. He had a fabulous career, and West Virginia, Phi Delta Theta, the U.S. Naval Academy, NASA, the Astranaut Program, and America should ALL be proud of Jon's accomplishments ! !
! !
On a personal note, Jon was best friends with my ex-wife Sandi, and he was the guy who was strong enough to dunk me into the lake at Flattop Lake, were my premarital 'bash' was held in September 1961.
Goodby, Dear Friend and lifetime associate. I am proud to have known you all these yaers
Don Alvarez
November 1, 2024
During the Mid-70's, Jon and I were stationed together in the Navy at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4) at the Naval Air Station Point Mugu, CA. Jon was the Aircraft Maintenance Department Head and I was his Maintenance/Material Control Officer - we clicked immediately. He was a joy to work with as he always made one feel like you worked with him and not for him. When he was interested in applying for NASA, he asked if I would consider being a character reference for him - and yes, I was interviewed by NASA.
I flew with Jon many times in a VX-4 US-2B aircraft and in the back seat of a squadron F-4S aircraft known as the "Spirit of 76", call sign "Vandy 76" due to its special paint red, white and blue paint scheme to usher-in America's bicentennial year - 1976. Jon flew this aircraft to many air shows across the country. He was, by far, the best Naval aviator I have known!
After my retirement from the Navy, I was fortunate to visit him for several days while he was undergoing training with NASA in Houston. I was able to be in Florida to watch his shuttle launch and also meet with him several years later in Washington, DC for dinner just before his retirement from NASA. We did keep in touch over the years, including visits with him in Arizona at his company.
Anyone who knew him will miss his smile and wonderful humor and the aviation community as a whole will miss him an outstanding pilot. I will miss him as a true friend - Fair winds and following seas, Jon!
Brennen Garcia
October 26, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
May you Rest in Peace
Lord Jesus Name. Amen
Brennen Garcia
October 26, 2024
I will missed you. Rest in Peace
Gio trapani
September 14, 2024
Big Jon we never met but I was such a huge fan of you and how you came up with the lunch with an astronaut program I mean they say certain space icons are nasa gods your one of those, my condolences to your 4 kids your sister, and tge grandkids and great grandkids ik your classmate John Fabian was devastated to hear that you passed but thankfully you didn't suffer God bless you big Jon, ik you and the late challenger and columbia crew are eating candy coated almonds. Aka peanut m&ms and chocolate pudding cake, as well as drinking tang rest in peace Big Jon see you on the other side.
Claire Cona/ Autumn House
August 22, 2024
I was so saddened to hear the loss of your dad, Captain John McBride. It was a pleasure knowing him and his extended family.
You certainly have many fond memories to look back on. My sincere condolences
clyde gibson
August 19, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Chris Sarandon
August 17, 2024
Jon was my friend and classmate at WWHS. Many years later he took my wife and I on a tour of the visitor center, which made me doubly proud of his accomplishments. I´ll miss his smile and his intelligence. RIP Big Jon.
Chris Sarandon
Krystal Thurmond
August 15, 2024
Captain my captain your smile was bright like sun you charm your grace and simply your presence was outstanding and a pleasure and honor to be around . You are missed I still say hey captain my captain every time I go by where I seen u all the time . Thank you for blessing us all with your knowledge with your spirit and with your grace . You are forever flying now.
Harry (HAP) Hambric
August 14, 2024
Jon was my closest friend growing up in Beckley, WV. We got into trouble, exploring mines, shared many adventures and stayed friends throughout our adult life. From our elementary years to high school and beyond, we shared many memories and happily stayed connected thru high school reunions and various other get-togethers. I treasured visiting him in Houston, Cocoa Beach, and in Wash DC. One of my proudest moments was watching my best friend taking off into space and realizing his dreams did come true. While the past few years have been difficult for both of us, we always enjoyed talking on the phone with the help of Frankie.
Sherri Wong
August 12, 2024
Our family used to be neighbors with the McBrides in Lewisburg. Our boys loved riding their tricycles on their driveway, the only paved road in our small community. Mr McBride loved to bring out his big wolf type dog for the boys to pet and talk to. My oldest son, as a 5 yr old, wondered at the photos of space and adventure on his hallway walls. He's taken that inspiration and is now an aerospace engineer, designing craft for the stars.
Maggie Lynn McBride Eversole
August 11, 2024
We were fortunate enough as Jon´s family to attend the launch of the Challenger in Florida. It was an experience like none other to watch the launch and hear Jon´s voice on the loudspeakers! It was the first and only time we drank champagne at 6 am! I looked over at our father and he had tears in his eyes. He wasn´t alone.
Stephen Morris
August 10, 2024
I will remember our many times together. I often picked him up at Yeager Airport in Charleston,WV when he would come back to WV for speaking engagements or to visit his sister Betty and famiy. Then later when he lived in Lewisburg we visited and fished. One time he even brought with him a visiting Russian cosmonaut! There are too many memories to try and write, but he will always remain one of my dearest friends.
Steve Morris
Cullen Couch
August 9, 2024
One of my favorite memories is when he allowed me to be his co-pilot in his Cessna 421 and his laudatory comments about my approach to landing, using power rather than elevator to control descent. It's just one of many memories going back to my childhood, but that made me feel REAL good.
Garry Laing
August 9, 2024
Jon McBride was always a great ambassador for NASA. I enjoyed hearing him speak at both NASM and KSC. He was a really good guy. Thank you for your service and dedication Jon McBride.
Maggie McBride Eversole
August 9, 2024
When Jon was about 12 or 13 years old he and his nephews, Craig and Mike Cook, went to Jon´s basement lab in our family home and proceeded to make a concoction that blew up and singed all 3 boy´s eyebrows and eyelashes. Our Mother threw her arms up and exclaimed "I can´t deal with this!" Thankfully our older brother Cullen was home and he made Jon, Craig, and Mike sit at the kitchen table and not move! Craig stood up and cut his head on a wall light!
Robert Schaffer
August 8, 2024
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Elizabeth Bell
August 8, 2024
RIP Jon
Rob Jones
August 8, 2024
Sending Love and Prayers from Philippi, West Virginia.
John Schoeppner
August 8, 2024
As an Edwards Test Pilot School instructor had the privilege of instructing Jon (Class 75A) our "token" USN student. Great pilot, but above all a great American Patriot!! Last saw Jon, circa 2005, in Australia where he was vying to purchase New Zealand
A-4´s declared "excess" by New Zealand´s senior executive. Jon´s focus was purchasing assets to provide US Fighter Pilots adversary training engaging dissimilar aircraft. God Bless you Jon as you Fly West. See you at that great Fighter Pilot Bar in the Sky where the Sun sets!!
Hallett Gregory
August 8, 2024
A little fun after a disaster. Immediately following Hurricane Elisa, out in the street in front of John and Brenda's home, throwing a football with John and Oliver Luck. We were all hunkered down in the hallway the night of the storm and wondering if we were going to be okay. It was a very long night when the house never stopped shaking. RIP my friend and will have a beverage in your honor the next time I visit one of old favorite places, Frenches.
robert nathanson
August 8, 2024
Rest in peace Brother McBride.
Your In The Bond Rob Nathanson
Kandy (Hosea) Thomas
August 8, 2024
I first met Big Jon in 1978 when he joined the new class of astronauts, AKA "The 35 New Guys". I used to schedule the T-38 trainer jets the astronauts would fly and remember Jon as always being larger than life. I worked at KSC for a while and would enjoy listening to him do the "Join an Astronaut for a Day" commentaries. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. God speed, Big Jon.
Damian O'Grady
August 8, 2024
A true Gentleman - I worked with Jon when he was at KSCVC and we had some great memories and fun travelling with him in the UK and Ireland, the last time we got to meet his daughter in Belfast and we all went to the pub for a few pints of Guinness, which he loved. I have some very fond personal memories of Jon as he was the first ever Astronaut I met and he was so humble it blew my mind, my wife and kids got to meet him a few years ago and always still talk about him and how amazing he was. He was so proud of his Irish Roots...we used to joke he was the forst Irish Astronaut...
God´s speed Jon, you are flying high back where you belong...RIP
Damian O'Grady and the UK team at KSCVC
AmyG
August 8, 2024
Jon was my mother´s "across the hall" neighbor at his last "home." As a good friend of his daughter, Melissa, I had not met Jon until my Mom moved in to the same facility across the hall. The first time I saw him, I introduced myself and spoke of our connection with my mom there and his daughter Melissa, my friend. He lit up at Melissa´s name, shook my hand and said "thank you for that." I thanked him for the smile and told him I´d see him in a day or two. Every time I´d return to visit my mom, he would give me that same beautiful smile and warm handshake. Jon certainly accomplished a lot in his lifetime, however, I enjoyed the handshakes and smiles from "Captain", the neighbor across the hall and my dear friend´s dad. Rest in peace, Jon, your smile remains in my heart. Thank you for that!
Richard Ruzzo
August 8, 2024
Richard Ruzzo
August 8, 2024
Richard Ruzzo
August 8, 2024
A true patriot. Thanks for tour life experiences with my family and making our time spent together special. You will be missed.
Rick Call
August 7, 2024
Jon was awesome. He gave a KSC tour to our Marshall University President along with several other university dignitaries. He was very gracious in his approach to everything. I throughly enjoyed the several times we played golf together along with my other 2 Call brothers from WV. Our sincere condolences to the family and may he enjoy his eternal heavenly home!
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
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