Jack King (NASA) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack King
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King at his post for the launch of Apollo 12, November 14, 1969
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| Born | February 12, 1931 Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | June 11, 2015 (aged 84) Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Spokesman, corporate executive |
| Employer | Associated Press NASA Energy Research and Development Administration Occidental Petroleum Fuqua School of Business United Space Alliance |
| Known for | Chief of Public Information and Public Affairs Officer, NASA |
| Spouse(s) |
Evelyn
(m. 1965–2005) |
John William "Jack" King (born February 12, 1931 – died June 11, 2015) was a very important person at NASA. He was in charge of sharing information with the public. He worked as the Chief of Public Information at the Kennedy Space Center.
Jack King is famous for being the "Voice of Apollo." He gave exciting announcements and commentary for many space missions. These included the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects. His voice was heard during the historic Apollo 11 launch. This made him well-known around the world.
His commentary from the Apollo 11 launch has been used in songs and advertisements. It was even part of a collection of NASA sounds for ringtones. Jack King provided launch commentary for almost every American human spaceflight. This included missions from Gemini 4 in 1965 to Apollo 15 in 1971. The only mission he missed was Apollo 13.
Contents
Jack King's Career Journey
Early Life and News Reporting
Jack King grew up in Boston, where his father was a sportswriter. He went to Boston College. Before joining NASA, Jack worked for the Associated Press (AP). The AP is a big news agency.
In 1958, when he was 27, he opened the AP's office in Cape Canaveral. This area is famous for space launches.
Working at NASA
Jack King joined NASA in 1960. He became the Chief of Public Information for the Kennedy Space Center. He held this important job from 1960 to 1971.
From 1971 to 1975, he worked as NASA's Public Affairs Officer. In this role, he helped explain NASA's work to everyone.
After NASA and Retirement
After leaving NASA, Jack King continued his career in public relations. He spent two years as the Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration.
Then, he worked for 15 years as an executive at Occidental Petroleum. In 1993, he became the director of communications at the Fuqua School of Business.
In 1997, Jack King returned to Cape Canaveral. He joined the United Space Alliance, which supports the manned space program. He worked there as a spokesman.
Jack King officially retired in October 2010. However, he still volunteered as a public affairs officer for NASA.
Jack King's Family Life
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Jack King was married to Evelyn for 39 years. She passed away in 2005. He had three children: two sons named Harold ("Chip") and Billy, and a daughter named Beth. He also had five grandchildren.
His oldest son, Chip King, was a pilot. Chip flew the longest combat mission ever in an F-14 Tomcat jet. This mission was an attack on Afghanistan in October 2001. Chip also took part in a special flyover at astronaut Pete Conrad's funeral in 1999.
Jack King passed away on June 11, 2015. He was 84 years old.
