Bass Redd

Bass Redd IV, 88, of Smithville, Texas, went on to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 28th, 2025, at his home on Bunte Hill.

Bass was born on April 5th, 1937, in Waco, Texas, to Bass and Evelyn Redd. He spent his childhood in Los Alamos, New Mexico; Waco, Texas; and eventually Galveston, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Joy. They were married in 1957, and after graduating from Texas A&M in 1958, later moved to La Porte, Texas, in 1962 and then settled in Bastrop, Texas, in 1995. In 1996, they made their home in Smithville, Texas. Bass and Joy were married for 67 years until her passing in January of 2025. Their home was filled with love and laughter, bringing joy to all who crossed their paths.

Bass is survived by his sons, Dr. Mark Redd (wife Sharon) and David Redd (wife Kay); his brother, Cecil Redd (wife Rhoda) of Canton, Texas; sisters, Cindy Sansone (husband John) of New Braunfels, Texas, and Bonnie Koeber (husband John) of Ashland, Oregon. Bass’s youngest brother, Jim Redd, preceded him in death.

Bass cherished his family deeply, especially his six grandchildren: Johnathan Redd, Shelby Smith, Joseph Redd, Christopher Redd, Nathan Redd, and Haley Redd. He was also blessed with one great-grandchild, Cater Smith.

Bass was employed for twenty-six years by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as Chief of the Flight Technology Branch on the Apollo Program; Head of Conceptual Design and Chief of Flight Performance on the Space Shuttle Program; and Chief of Conceptual Design on the Space Station Program. He also served on the Academic Advisory Board of the Texas A&M Aerospace Department. After leaving NASA, he became President of Eagle Aerospace while also serving on the Board of Directors of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board for eight years.

Bass served as an interim pastor for multiple churches throughout Texas. He also preached in many local churches, including First Baptist Church Bastrop, First Baptist Church Smithville, Rosanky Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church Smithville, Dale Dell Baptist Church, Thompsonville Community Church in Waelder, among many others. He was also a long-time member of The Gideons and was instrumental in the reading of the Bible on Apollo 8 in 1968. He had a great passion for teaching and preaching God’s Word in a unique and memorable way. God used Bass to influence many pastors, evangelists, and men of God through his biblical knowledge and practical wisdom.

Services to celebrate Bass's life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Thompsonville Community Church in Waelder, Texas.

Family and friends will gather from 10:00am to 11:00am and a Celebration of Bass's life will begin at 11:00am.

Following the service, the family invites you to stay and share in food and fellowship.