People honor life of West Virginia’s first astronaut

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — The life of West Virginia’s first man in space, Jon McBride, was honored Monday after his passing earlier this month.

In 1984, McBride served as pilot of the space shuttle Challenger, making him the first astronaut from the mountain state. Before that, he served in the United States Navy.

Although he was born in Charleston, he considered Beckley his home. His son spoke about him during a memorial Monday.

“When he was selected for an astronaut at NASA, I was a young kid in California,” said McBride’s son, Jon McBride II. “We got a call early in the morning. We were all very excited. So even as a kid, I was proud of him. But, I knew the whole family was too. So, I think it was just that pride and knowing that it wasn’t just him. It was, you know, the whole family behind him, a team of teachers and friends and colleagues and mentors. So, I remember that moment very well, even though I was young.”

McBride was 80 years old when he passed on Aug. 7, a week shy of his 81st birthday. A memorial service will be held on Oct. 5 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Rocket Garden.

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