Jackie Burris Johnson

Jackie Burris Johnson of Edgewater Florida passed away on February 23rd, 2025 at the age of 84. He was born on March 3rd, 1940 in Draper, North Carolina where he grew up with a large extended family. His father had a farm and a garage that Jackie worked at early in his life.

He graduated from Morehead High School 1958 where he played Saxophone in the band and became the Drum Major of the marching band in his senior year. Music continued to be one of his passions that he held throughout his lifetime, including his College years at North Carolina State University and playing at Church on Sunday mornings. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from NC State in Mechanical Engineering in 1962.

Jackie married his high school sweetheart, Zoe Carter on June 12th 1960. Together they had 3 boys, Tom, Chris, and Jackie Lee, and later added her nephew Kit Carter as a member of the family.

Jackie worked as an Aerospace Engineer in the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs at Stennis, Marshall, and Kennedy Space Centers, where he was a Launch Tower Arms and Umbilicals Engineer. He worked through most of the Shuttle era, participating in the first 100 Shuttle launches before retiring in 2006.

He was actively involved in church at First Baptist Church of Oak Hill, and later Space Coast Baptist Church of Samsula, Florida. He was also a licensed pilot and built and flew his own airplane for 20 years. His love for aviation began at an early age when he began flying the earliest versions of Radio Controlled Airplanes in the 50’s.

Jackie is preceded in death by his father Mack Bradley Johnson, and mother Trayphinia Price Johnson.

He is survived by wife Zoe, his Sisters Candace, Tina, and brother Ted; his four sons, Tom, Chris, Jackie Lee, and Kit; His six grandsons TJ, Kyle, Carter, Drew, Christopher, and Asher; two granddaughters Lorelei and Caroline; and 6 great grandsons, Dylan, Flynn, Reef, Wren, Samuel, and Levi.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life at Space Coast Baptist church on March 1st, 2025, located in Samsula Florida. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Samaritan’s Purse, North Carolina Relief.