James "Jim" Russell Brandenburg

James “Jim” Russell Brandenburg, 72, of Keller, Texas, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2016. He was born on December 24, 1943 in Graham, Texas to Reno and Lennis (Brownlee) Brandenburg. He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1962 and Texas Tech University in 1967 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. On January 28, 1967 he married Barbara Lois Brooks in Jacksboro, TX.

James began his career with NASA/Johnson Space Center in June of 1967. He had various assignments and promotions before the assignment involving the integration of the Mission Control Center (MCC) operations support personnel into the flight operations for all manned space flights. This involved manning a console in the flight control room of the MCC; this position was called “Ground Controller” and was the leader of all the operations support personnel who performed the configurations and management of the MCC data systems and data flow. He was lead Ground Controller for the Apollo Soyez Test Project and for the STS-1,2 and 3 flights. He then was assigned Facility Manager of the MCC overseeing 500-plus contractor personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the facility on a daily basis.

James received numerous awards over the years including a Certificate of Commendation for his leadership in preparing the MCC for return flight after the Challenger accident in 1986. He also received an Exceptional Service Medal for the integration and management of the MCC operations team signed by the President of the United States. James retired from NASA in August 2007 after 40 years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, carpentry, spending time with his grandchildren and cheering on his Red Raiders.

James is survived by his wife Barbara of 49 years, his two daughters, Laura Christine Grosskopf and her husband Scott of Southlake, TX, Belinda Kay McCoy of Oklahoma City, OK; two grandchildren, Kayla and Blake Grosskopf, his sisters Linda Sheffield of Watauga, TX, Charlotte Brandenburg of Granbury, TX, his brother Larry Brandenburg and his wife Della of Burkburnett, TX and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Lucas Funeral Home in Keller, TX on Friday, July 29 at 10:30 AM. A private burial will follow. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home on Thursday, July 28.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Development Dept. 1601 Nasa Parkway, Houston TX. 77058 http://spacecenter.org/giving/make-a-gift/ways-to-give

Lucas Funeral Home, Keller - 817-753-6800