Jack Todd Kaylor, age 85, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016, at Sanders Heron Cove, Gloucester.

Jack was born in Lynch, Ky., and raised in Roanoke, Va., where he graduated from Jefferson High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served three years after which he returned to Roanoke to attend Roanoke College in Salem. After graduation, he started work at NACA (later NASA) Langley Field as a physicist. While at NASA, he was privileged to meet the original seven astronauts and to work with them on a simulator of the Mercury capsule that he and his coworkers had built. The rest of his career there was spent with other simulation projects. He retired from NASA in 1986 and spent his spare time playing tennis, boating, bicycling, and building model airplanes, boats, and cars.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, George and Eulah Kaylor, and his brother, James Kaylor.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 57 years; his three sons, Todd (Julie), Kevin (Jennifer) and Glenn (Brooke); his grandchildren, Mark, Zachary, Christopher, Caroline, Jackson, Monte, and Ruby, and his sister, Nancy Langley.

A celebration of remembrance and life was held at Bethany United Methodist Church Gloucester Point, on Monday, June 13 at 3 p.m., with visitation and reception following. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bethany United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 527, Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062, Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 9, Bena, Virginia 23108, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1881, Gloucester, Virginia 23061 or a charity of your choice.

Jack’s family wishes to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Heron Cove and the staff of Riverside’s Hospice

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.