Thomas N. Bartron of Topping, formerly of Hampton and Gloucester, died on September 30, 2024. Tom was preceded in death by Jean Freeman Bartron, his American Beauty and wife for 49 years. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ralph W. Bartron Jr., and by Stella Rose Bartron, his wife of 21 years. Tom is survived by his beloved daughters, Anne Douglas Bartron of Topping, Marynell Ivey Willets (George) of Wilmington, N.C., and Jeanne Marie Bartron of Gloucester. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Allie Virginia Owen (Kenny) of Roanoke, and Matthew Freeman Ivey of Martinsburg, W.V. Tom lost his dear friend, Patricia Almond, in 2022. Prior to Pat’s passing, they had three years of sincere and life-enriching friendship.
Tom was a member of Lower United Methodist Church in Hartfield. He was formerly a member of Central Methodist Church in Hampton and later a member of Abingdon Episcopal Church in Gloucester. Tom was active in each of these churches. He computerized the cemetery layouts and records for both Abingdon and Lower churches and the membership records for Lower Church.
Tom served in the U.S. Navy during the latter part of WWII, graduated from VPI in 1948, and retired from NASA in 1980. Tom was a registered Professional Engineer. He was involved at NACA and later NASA in the design, acquisition, testing and operational performance of wind tunnel and spacecraft elements.
At what was then NACA, Tom was initially involved in the design of wind tunnel elements. He was later involved in NASA unmanned space flight programs, including the flight investigation of the reentry environment for spacecraft heat shields, where he was responsible for writing the specifications for, and the management of, the contract design of the second-stage rocket system that accelerated the experimental device to reentry velocities. He was the technical representative of the contracting officer for the Lunar Orbiter project, which provided the photographs of the moon surface used for selecting sites for manned landings on the moon. Tom also served the Viking project, leading a design review of the Mars surface sampler. He was later responsible for writing and overseeing the contracts for the design and construction of structural elements of the National Transonic tunnel.
Tom designed and oversaw the construction of his homes in Hampton, Gloucester and Middlesex and his daughters’ homes in Gloucester and Middlesex.
Tom enjoyed fishing in the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay especially with his family and friends. Tom enjoyed sailing and sailboat racing. After restoring and sailing wooden Comet and Lighting class sailboats, he purchased the fiberglass hull and deck moldings for his 25-foot Morgan sailboat, “Folly.” He outfitted and made sails for Folly and won many very competitive races with her. She is still today being sailed and raced by others, some 50 years later.
Tom rode his bicycle until three weeks before his death. He rode for many years in Hampton with Jean or the kids on a double bike he constructed from two single bikes, and later on a regular double bike. He more recently could often be seen in Gloucester and Middlesex on his single bike. His biking may well have contributed to his longevity.
Tom was devoted to his family, especially his daughters. After the loss of their mother, Jean, he gave his daughters special priority in his life.
A memorial service will be held for Tom on November 4, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield, Va. A reception will follow the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.
Should you desire to send a memorial in lieu of flowers, please consider the Lower United Methodist Church Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 98, Hartfield, Va. 23071.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda, is assisting the family.