John Thomas Jackson Jr.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John Thomas “Jack” Jackson, Jr., a more than 50-year veteran of NASA who famously retired at age 91, died of natural causes on February 3, 2026, just shy of his 100th birthday.

Jack spent over five decades in key roles at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where his quiet expertise and unwavering dedication contributed to some of the most significant achievements in the American space program. Born at home in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 11, 1926, Jack was the son of John Thomas Jackson, Sr., and Mary Louise Sorley Jackson. He grew up with two sisters, Mary Elizabeth and Hautie Sue, and also had a much older half-sister, Modena Jackson Stewart.

Jack often said that his parents’ love and guidance gave him a strong sense of right and wrong, a devotion to family and friends, and a lifelong love of learning. He shared a special bond with his father, a postal worker and self-described “cowboy,” who purchased property outside Fort Worth and established a small ranch. There, Jack learned to ride horses and care for animals—lessons in responsibility that stayed with him throughout his life. One of Jack’s favorite childhood stories captured both his humor and his ability to speak simple truths. As a small boy, he once heard his father leave the house while Jack was still sitting on the potty. He jumped up and ran after him. When his father saw him on the sidewalk, he scooped him up and said, “Son, a man never leaves the house without his pants,” covering Jack’s bare bottom with his cowboy hat. Jack credited his time with his father—who was called Johnny—with shaping his strong values, work ethic, and love of country. His mother inspired his curiosity and passion for learning. Together, their influence guided a life marked by integrity, curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to service.

Jack graduated from Fort Worth’s first Catholic high school, Laneri School for Boys, in 1944. Shortly thereafter, despite his father’s objections (as a veteran of the Spanish-American War, he believed Jack should join the Army), Jack enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served with the 4th Marine Division based at Camp Maui.

On September 3, 1950, Jack married the love of his life, Astrid Ranghilde Hansen. They shared nearly 50 years of marriage before her death in 2000. Under the GI Bill, Jack earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University in 1953, followed by a master’s degree in psychology in 1955. His natural talent for engineering and problem-solving led him into the aerospace and defense industries, where he worked for General Dynamics and Bell Helicopter. During this era of rapid American innovation, Jack contributed to major advances in aviation and defense, earning respect for his expertise and collaborative spirit.

In 1966, Jack joined NASA as part of the Apollo program, beginning what would become the most enduring chapter of his professional life. Over the course of his career, he worked on projects ranging from spacesuit design to defining human-factors requirements that ensured safe, efficient, and effective interaction between astronauts, hardware, and operations. He managed numerous projects and oversaw contractor personnel involved in agency-wide initiatives. From

1980 to 1990, Jack served as Manager and single point of contact for the Shuttle Student Involvement Project. A faculty sponsor who worked closely with him wrote, “In short, I’ve never worked with anyone more helpful and committed to the job than John.” Through decades of service, Jack witnessed extraordinary progress in space exploration—always humbly doing his part behind the scenes.

Astronaut Alan Bean, quoted in a Houston Chronicle article, called Jack “a special kind of guy,” adding, “If you need something and you phone him and ask him, he knows it and it’s accurate—and if it isn’t in his field, he can tell you who does know, and he’ll call them.”

When asked what mattered most to him in life, Jack listed honesty, respect, and loyalty. “I wanted a job that challenged me and enabled me to provide for my family,” he said. “I also wanted to contribute through my work, my family, and my activities to make the world a better place. My wife and my children were very important in my life, and I loved them with all my heart.” His daughter, Kathy Lou Jackson, recalls, “Dad was motivated to give others ‘material for thought.’ He wanted to find people to think along with him. He was always curious and looking for ways to challenge us to be our better selves.”

Jack and Astrid raised three children and cultivated lifelong friendships. When their children were young, the family piled into the car for trips to national parks, historic sites, and, in 1965, an unforgettable drive from Fort Worth to Acapulco. Once the children were grown, Jack and Astrid enjoyed traveling the world, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and savoring life’s simple pleasures.

Jack is survived by his children, John Mark Jackson (Anne) and Kathy Lou Jackson; his grandchildren, John Dreaper, James Sorley, Elisabeth Astrid, Amber Astrid Schmidt Boyle (Rob), and Mandy Schmidt Brenneman (Zach); and his great-grandchildren, Charley Marie Boyle, Jaymes Lou Boyle, Oliver Henry Brenneman, and Ella Violet Brenneman.

A celebration of Jack’s life was held on February 21 at 2 p.m. at The Crossings, his home for the past six years. Contributions may be made to the NASA Alumni League–JSC, c/o Cindy Neal, 401 Pine Creek Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546. To learn more about the organization, visit https://nal-jsc.org/About-NAL-JSC.