Capt. Roger Arguelles Massey, Jr., Ph.D. (US Navy Ret.), 87, formerly of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully on November 7, 2017, with his family at his side.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fae Jernigan Massey; and his parents, Roger and Delia Massey. He is survived by his three children, Rhonda Massey Belyea and husband Bruce; two sons, Dr. Ren Massey and R. Lloyd Massey and wife, Dr. Cynthia Massey; two granddaughters, Lt. Ashley Belyea and husband, Keith Proctor, and Emily Dickey and husband, Brett Dickey; one great grandson, Luke Dickey; and a sister, Michelle Massey Dixon.
Capt. Massey lived the American dream, after immigrating from Havana, Cuba with his parents at age 10. He was a highly decorated Navy pilot serving 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Between combat tours, he earned a Ph.D., from U.C. Davis, in applied engineering with his dissertation on nuclear physics. He led early Strategic Defense Initiative research for the Navy using lasers to shoot down missiles and was honored in the Navy Hall of Fame as the 9th pilot to complete over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings. After retiring from the Navy, he worked with defense industry firms, finishing his career as a Vice President at Kaman Aerospace.
While Capt. Massey came from very humble beginnings, he was appreciated for being a generous provider for his family. He was gifted musically, enjoying playing guitar and singing. He loved animals and had quick wit. He was athletic and an elegant dancer.
An Appreciation of Life service with military honors will be held for family members on November 13, 2017 at 1 pm at the Rosewood Funeral Home and Cemetery in Virginia Beach alongside his deceased wife Fae and both of their parents.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fae Jernigan Massey; and his parents, Roger and Delia Massey. He is survived by his three children, Rhonda Massey Belyea and husband Bruce; two sons, Dr. Ren Massey and R. Lloyd Massey and wife, Dr. Cynthia Massey; two granddaughters, Lt. Ashley Belyea and husband, Keith Proctor, and Emily Dickey and husband, Brett Dickey; one great grandson, Luke Dickey; and a sister, Michelle Massey Dixon.
Capt. Massey lived the American dream, after immigrating from Havana, Cuba with his parents at age 10. He was a highly decorated Navy pilot serving 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Between combat tours, he earned a Ph.D., from U.C. Davis, in applied engineering with his dissertation on nuclear physics. He led early Strategic Defense Initiative research for the Navy using lasers to shoot down missiles and was honored in the Navy Hall of Fame as the 9th pilot to complete over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings. After retiring from the Navy, he worked with defense industry firms, finishing his career as a Vice President at Kaman Aerospace.
While Capt. Massey came from very humble beginnings, he was appreciated for being a generous provider for his family. He was gifted musically, enjoying playing guitar and singing. He loved animals and had quick wit. He was athletic and an elegant dancer.
An Appreciation of Life service with military honors will be held for family members on November 13, 2017 at 1 pm at the Rosewood Funeral Home and Cemetery in Virginia Beach alongside his deceased wife Fae and both of their parents.
Capt. Roger Arguelles Massey, Jr., Ph.D. (US Navy Ret.), 87, formerly of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully on November 7, 2017, with his family at his side.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fae Jernigan Massey; and his parents, Roger and Delia Massey. He is survived by his three children, Rhonda Massey Belyea and husband Bruce; two sons, Dr. Ren Massey and R. Lloyd Massey and wife, Dr. Cynthia Massey; two granddaughters, Lt. Ashley Belyea and husband, Keith Proctor, and Emily Dickey and husband, Brett Dickey; one great grandson, Luke Dickey; and a sister, Michelle Massey Dixon.
Capt. Massey lived the American dream, after immigrating from Havana, Cuba with his parents at age 10. He was a highly decorated Navy pilot serving 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Between combat tours, he earned a Ph.D., from U.C. Davis, in applied engineering with his dissertation on nuclear physics. He led early Strategic Defense Initiative research for the Navy using lasers to shoot down missiles and was honored in the Navy Hall of Fame as the 9th pilot to complete over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings. After retiring from the Navy, he worked with defense industry firms, finishing his career as a Vice President at Kaman Aerospace.
While Capt. Massey came from very humble beginnings, he was appreciated for being a generous provider for his family. He was gifted musically, enjoying playing guitar and singing. He loved animals and had quick wit. He was athletic and an elegant dancer.
An Appreciation of Life service with military honors will be held for family members on November 13, 2017 at 1 pm at the Rosewood Funeral Home and Cemetery in Virginia Beach alongside his deceased wife Fae and both of their parents.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fae Jernigan Massey; and his parents, Roger and Delia Massey. He is survived by his three children, Rhonda Massey Belyea and husband Bruce; two sons, Dr. Ren Massey and R. Lloyd Massey and wife, Dr. Cynthia Massey; two granddaughters, Lt. Ashley Belyea and husband, Keith Proctor, and Emily Dickey and husband, Brett Dickey; one great grandson, Luke Dickey; and a sister, Michelle Massey Dixon.
Capt. Massey lived the American dream, after immigrating from Havana, Cuba with his parents at age 10. He was a highly decorated Navy pilot serving 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Between combat tours, he earned a Ph.D., from U.C. Davis, in applied engineering with his dissertation on nuclear physics. He led early Strategic Defense Initiative research for the Navy using lasers to shoot down missiles and was honored in the Navy Hall of Fame as the 9th pilot to complete over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings. After retiring from the Navy, he worked with defense industry firms, finishing his career as a Vice President at Kaman Aerospace.
While Capt. Massey came from very humble beginnings, he was appreciated for being a generous provider for his family. He was gifted musically, enjoying playing guitar and singing. He loved animals and had quick wit. He was athletic and an elegant dancer.
An Appreciation of Life service with military honors will be held for family members on November 13, 2017 at 1 pm at the Rosewood Funeral Home and Cemetery in Virginia Beach alongside his deceased wife Fae and both of their parents.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
