Jack W. Hoyt

A native of Indianapolis, Hoyt was a highschool track star, a veteran of World War II, an electrical engineer who worked in the manned space program, and a Realtor®. He was also a proud supporter of the development of Thornby Park in Deltona.

Shortly after he graduated from high school in 1940, Hoyt went to work on the AlCan Highway, laboring in freezing conditions to earn money to further his education.

In 1942, he enrolled in Butler University in Indianapolis. Hoyt participated in Butler’s track team and cheerleading squad. When he was not studying or playing in sports, Hoyt worked in the cafeteria to defray his college expenses.

As World War II raged on, Hoyt enlisted in the Army in 1943. After completing basic training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Hoyt was shipped to England. Because of his interest in communications, his duty was to set up telephone links for the military. When the Battle of the Bulge erupted in late 1944, Hoyt was taken out of the Signal Corps for a time and transferred to the infantry. The epic battle ended before he could become involved in actual combat, While in France, Hoyt returned to establishing telephone systems for the Army. After Germany surrendered, Hoyt was alerted for transfer to the Pacific Theater, to prepare for a possible invasion of Japan. He was aboard a Liberty Ship sailing eastward when word of the atomic bombing and Japan’s surrender brought the war to an end and cut short his voyage. Peace meant Hoyt could resume his education. With the benefits of the GI Bill of Rights, Hoyt enrolled in Purdue University. He earned a degree in electrical engineering, which he applied in his career with Indiana Bell, Bell Laboratories and ITT. During his tenure at ITT, Hoyt worked on the Atlas and Minuteman missile programs. Hoyt moved from Ohio to Cocoa Beach in 1962, and subsequently joined General Electric Co. in 1963. GE was a prime contractor with NASA, and Hoyt went to work on the Gemini and Apollo programs. The Gemini program, which involved putting two U.S. astronauts into orbit and perfecting docking of spacecraft, was a step toward the Apollo program of landing Americans on the moon. His work in the space race was truly a high point — no pun intended — in his life.

“I was a manager. We helped design and build the electrical systems for launch control,” Hoyt said in a 2009 interview with The Beacon.

After the first lunar landing in Apollo 11, NASA began cutting its manpower and brainpower, laying off thousands of workers who had helped the U.S. win the space race with the Soviet Union. Hoyt was among those laid off in 1970, leaving him to search for work elsewhere.

At that time, Walt Disney World was taking shape, in preparation for its October 1971 grand opening. Hoyt used his electrical¬ engineering skills to develop the “It’s a Small World” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” attractions.

Hoyt also briefly worked on the space shuttle program in the mid-¬1970s, relocating for a time to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. His heart, however, remained in the Sunshine State.

While the Disney World land boom put Orlando and the surrounding area on the map around the globe, Hoyt went to work marketing Central Florida as the ideal place to live, work and play. He became a Realtor® and opened his own firm, J&J Realty, in Sanford.

Hoyt found yet another career in the ’70s as an auditor/engineer on the staff of the Florida Public Service Commission.

He retired about 15 years ago and moved to Deltona. He served on the Deltona Planning and Zoning Board, and he was active in the establishment of Thornby Park.

“He was one of the original Friends of Thornby, meaning he was one of the original 13 who met around the table. He jumped in with his feet first. He was a gentleman,” said Sandy Walters, another leader in the movement to protect Thornby.

The creation of Thornby Park won recognition from environmental and cultural organizations.

Another tribute came from Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk.

“I didn't always agree with him, but with pioneers like him, he made us better,” Masiarczyk said. "He made sure we dotted our i's and crossed our t's. He was a gentleman.”

Hoyt was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, and a daughter, Penny. He is survived by a daughter, Wendy Allen, and son-in-law Tony, a nephew, a niece, two grandchildren and several great¬-grandchildren.

Hoyt was a Christian and a supporter of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Deltona Memorial was in charge of arrangements.