As a child Gene and Jane were my mother's and my next door neighbor. They were the kindest person to us and the best neighbors anyone could have. We lived in a linear building that was 7 apartments wide and almost everyone worked around the Space Industry. I remember as a 12 year old when both they had their first children. And i also remember when Boeing laid off all their Huntsville employees shortly after the births and that it took Gene a while to get a job again.

A few years later Jane ran for office and became Huntsville Alabama first woman City Council person. I was so proud of her. My mothers and i had moved and she had remarried by then, And i think Gene and Jane had moved and bought a house on Eustis St. in one of Huntsville's finer neighborhoods. I went and visited them there several times.

Their memories of those 6 years  of those 6 years were neighbors  will forever be with me. 

Dear Kathryn, Bonnie, Jenny:
I want to extend my sincere condolences at the death of Uncle Gene. I was able to text with him earlier this year and am thankful for that. I have such fond memories of Uncle Gene and all of you at Grandmama’s house during summers, especially family reunions. I will never forget Uncle Gene distinct voice or sense of humor. 
Prayers for each of you and your families,
Teresa Mabry-Crawford

All of the folks that lived in the apartments got together and ate outside together regularly It was like a small party fairly often. And then several of the very large trees died in front of the apartments and we would have stump burning parties and play badminton. It really felt like we a large family. And this is in the time of innocence when i as a 12 year old could walk across the street and buy cigarettes and beer for whoever in the apartment complex needed it because the owner of the beer store knew all of us personally. Huntsville was a town of probably 30,000 folks. People still walked to downtown and addressed each other formally when they saw each other. They took the time to have lives and share with their neighbors. And Gene and Jane were great at being neighbors and friends to us all.

My mom eventually found the right man and got married and we moved. I didn’t get to see most of those folks many more times, but i did visit Gene and Jane a few times when they had purchased a house on Eustis St. And if i am correct it was in this home that Jane Mabry, ran for and became the first female City Council person in Huntsville. Needless to say my mother and step-father supported her effort.

Life got hold of all of us and things happened more rapidly, we all lost touch. But there is a place in my heart for all those folks and i think about them regularly. It makes me sad that we all pass and that now Gene and Jane are both gone. As are most of the adults of that 1958-1969 Space era. But i feel blessed for having know them all and for watching their fortitude during hard times and good times. I am sorry for your families loss.

Roy Simmons

I had a feeling i must look at the obituaries today, something i hardly ever do, and i found this. It is the obituary for my next door neighbor, when my mom and i lived next to Gene and Jane Mabry, in 1958 - 1965. Seeing the age of Gene on this obit gives me the awareness that he was only 12 years older than me. But as a 10 year old he was a full blown adult to me. And he and Jane were two of the nicest adults i knew. We lived in a brand new apartment complex that had 7 apartments. And that has even more meaning at the start of the Space Program than most people will ever understand. There was a sever housing shortage in Huntsville as all the new arrivals came to Huntsville to send a man to the moon.  In our apartment complex, everyone worked on that goal except for our landlord, his wife and 2 sons. The landlord owned a very beautiful house one block away, and realized he could make lots of money renting it to many young engineers right out of college or to the co-op students that would work on the American goal of beating the Russians to the moon.

So in the first apartment was Faith and her daughter Lynn Tidwell. In Apartment number 2 was Otto …. and i can’t remember his last name. In apartment 3 was Ernest Evers ( who passed away 3 weeks ago at the age of 98). Eleanor Payne Simmons (another divorced mom) and i lived in apartment 4. Gene and Jane Mabry lived in apartment number 5. In apartment 6 was a single man, Ray …. (again can’t remember his last name) and in apartment 7 lived Bobby Yarbrough, his wife and two sons. One of the sons was my age.

Gene and Jane had not yet had children, so it took a year of so for them to do so as our neighbors. And if my memory serves correctly they may have had twins for their first birthing. So initially they were very loving kind neighbors and then they were parents.
 (continued)

I'm so sorry for your loss. Though I only knew Jim a short time, I will miss his smile and laugh when my dogs would act ferocious. He was a very kind man and I will miss him!

My heart goes out to you. Sorry for your loss. I will always cherish the times we all spent together as a family. Jim will be missed. 

Jim was only in my life for a brief moment. And in that brief moment, he showed me what a grandfather could be like. His spirit, tenacity, and beautiful brain enthralled me and I was grateful to pick his brain, share his space and receive his light for the time that I did. My heart goes out to all those mourning the loss of a man who's departure leaves a beautiful void. 

Jennie, My heart goes out to you at the death of your beloved father. I was delighted to meet Jim years ago at a Jazz Fest gathering at your home in New Orleans and recall his exuberant spirit. May peace be with you, Sue, and all of Jim's family at this time.

I love you grandpa. I will miss our long talks and grand  adventures. Your free spirit lives on through me and Jace. We will follow in your footsteps by living life to the fullest, loving passionately and never letting go of our curious inner child . You were always smiling, always laughing and always down to have a good time. I will miss you terribly but look forward to seeing you later down the road. 

We are so grateful that you were our neighbor. We will miss your jokes, card playing and our holiday extravaganza’s. So blessed to be able to spend the past couple years with you. You will be so very missed.  


It was great meeting everyone. I am honored to be a part of Jim's service. May you all find comfort and peace in this difficult time.
Pastor Jeff Ungs

Jennie,
Keeping you and your family close to my heart and in my prayers. I k ow there are amazing memories that will provide comfort eventually.
Jen Dant 

My heart hurts!  That’s the only way I know to describe it.

Jim and I became firm friends over a quarter century in Huntsville, Alabama as we grew into being “senior citizens.”  He became my best friend over that time and he is already sorely missed.  Friends like Jim are an once-in-a-lifetime blessing.

Even now I miss the laughter and the smile that was in his eyes and his whole being.  I admired his strength and courage in adversity and in successes.  I greatly admired his enormous love for his family and especially how much he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Jim and I worked together on NASA projects over the years.  He had marvelous stories from the early days of NASA through until the last project we worked on together, the first stage of the Ares rocket.  He had a unique ability to turn hard work into a pleasant experience.

The peoples of the Pacific islands call sharing ideas, tales, fables, and life lessons “Talking Story.”  Jim could “talk story” with the best of them.  He was a happy story teller, and I often tried to encourage him to write those stories of his life and family to share with others.  

He was too busy living life to the fullest instead of wasting time writing about it.  And he lived life to the fullest even as his health declined, and he had to leave Huntsville behind.  Even after he moved to Naples, you could almost see the laughter in his eyes on our phone calls.

I’m so glad we got to see him last year when my wife, daughter, and I spent some time on nearby Sanibel Island.  The laughter and smiles from that all-too-short visit will stay with me for the rest of my life.

As sailors sometimes say when parting:  Fair winds and following seas, Jim Mabry!  

May God forever hold you and those you love in the palm of His hand.

Rod Henderson
Lacey’s Spring, Alabama


I miss my jigsaw puzzle buddy. We spent time together at my work in fun conversation as he helped me with the latest 1000 piece mystery.

Jim adored the pecan pies that my wife made for him. He was so appreciative and savored every bite.

He often shared with me his feelings of love and concern for all his family members.   I miss Jim.   Thanks, Philip Crosby.

Jim's wife, Jane, was a childhood friend of mine and I can't think of two so well matched as her and Jim. I continued to see them when I was back in HSV (have lived in NC for many years) and it was always a joy. I miss both of them so much, but cherish the times we had together.  There are many photos, but, unfortunately, this site will allow the uploading of only one.


Patricia Stutts Davis

Max& RuthEllen Walters, sending prayers and hugs to the family for your loss. Sorry to hear this.

Stephanie and I were sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We are sure that Jane will be welcoming him home.

Jennie,
     Your Dad was just a character.  He seemed to always be in a good mood.  I never will forget his laugh, and chuckle.  

     He will be missed, but never forgotten!

Love,
Judy, Marc, and
Christopher 

One of the best men I knew. Ashley, the kids and I are gonna miss you. I love you grandpa 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James Eugene Mabry

12 avril 1936 – 8 avril 2022

Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens

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