James Roland Gandy, a resident of Harrison, Arkansas for nearly 27 years, passed away in McKinney, Texas at the age of 88 in the early morning hours of April 17, 2021.
Born in Longview, Texas on November 3, 1932, he was the second child of Roma Jewel (Salter) and Enoch Dennis Gandy. Born between two sisters, Virginia Margeline (Nelson) and Sarah Beth (Weigelt), he grew up in East Texas, and graduated from Atlanta High School in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Texas National Guard, and remained there for two years, where he then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in England for most of his enlistment.
After his discharge, he was accepted into the Texas Technical College (Texas Tech University) where he studied electrical engineering and received several offers upon graduation. He selected a position in Southern California with North American Aviation (North American Rockwell, Rockwell International, Boeing), and it was there he began his career in aerospace, where his expertise in the design of guidance systems helped protect the United States by creating superior defense systems, many of which are still in use today. James also was instrumental in designing the navigation system used in the original Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
As a hobby, and way to earn extra money to send his children to college, James became an Enrolled Agent, and prepared individual income tax returns for over three decades. During the tax months of January, February, March, and April, James would prepare as many as four tax returns a night – after he finished working his day job as an engineer. During the peak of his tax career, he had nearly 300 clients. He continued to prepare taxes long after he retired, and tax work became a terrific way to stay connected to old friends and colleagues.
Shortly after James moved to Southern California, he met a beautiful secretary named Carol Frances Kautz. A romance soon blossomed and Carol and Jim were married in July of 1959. They purchased a home in Garden Grove, California, where they raised three children, Pamela Sands (Jetmore) of El Paso, Texas, Michael James Gandy of McKinney, Texas, and Brenda Gail (Ortiz) of Foothill Ranch, California. Jim and Carol were very involved in the community where they were active in their children's schools, participated in local politics, coached girl's softball and little league baseball, and supported their children in many ways.
Five years after his retirement from Rockwell International in 1989, Jim and Carol relocated to Harrison, Arkansas, where they purchased their dream home on five acres. They both became very active in their community, and made many friends through the Republican party, and through his volunteer work with the Boone County Election Commission. Their family loved to visit them on their lovely property.
Jim is survived by Carol, his wife of nearly 62 years, their three children Pam, Michael, and Brenda, his sister, Sarah, and 10 grandchildren: Clay, Lauren, Jae, Melissa, Derek, Matt, Chris, Emily, Nolan and Angela. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, and many dear friends in his beloved Harrison, Arkansas. After having spent over 30 years designing sophisticated navigation systems, he once commented that the only regret he had was that he didn't move to Harrison sooner.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Holt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Phillip C. Collie II officiating. Private burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.
Born in Longview, Texas on November 3, 1932, he was the second child of Roma Jewel (Salter) and Enoch Dennis Gandy. Born between two sisters, Virginia Margeline (Nelson) and Sarah Beth (Weigelt), he grew up in East Texas, and graduated from Atlanta High School in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Texas National Guard, and remained there for two years, where he then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in England for most of his enlistment.
After his discharge, he was accepted into the Texas Technical College (Texas Tech University) where he studied electrical engineering and received several offers upon graduation. He selected a position in Southern California with North American Aviation (North American Rockwell, Rockwell International, Boeing), and it was there he began his career in aerospace, where his expertise in the design of guidance systems helped protect the United States by creating superior defense systems, many of which are still in use today. James also was instrumental in designing the navigation system used in the original Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
As a hobby, and way to earn extra money to send his children to college, James became an Enrolled Agent, and prepared individual income tax returns for over three decades. During the tax months of January, February, March, and April, James would prepare as many as four tax returns a night – after he finished working his day job as an engineer. During the peak of his tax career, he had nearly 300 clients. He continued to prepare taxes long after he retired, and tax work became a terrific way to stay connected to old friends and colleagues.
Shortly after James moved to Southern California, he met a beautiful secretary named Carol Frances Kautz. A romance soon blossomed and Carol and Jim were married in July of 1959. They purchased a home in Garden Grove, California, where they raised three children, Pamela Sands (Jetmore) of El Paso, Texas, Michael James Gandy of McKinney, Texas, and Brenda Gail (Ortiz) of Foothill Ranch, California. Jim and Carol were very involved in the community where they were active in their children's schools, participated in local politics, coached girl's softball and little league baseball, and supported their children in many ways.
Five years after his retirement from Rockwell International in 1989, Jim and Carol relocated to Harrison, Arkansas, where they purchased their dream home on five acres. They both became very active in their community, and made many friends through the Republican party, and through his volunteer work with the Boone County Election Commission. Their family loved to visit them on their lovely property.
Jim is survived by Carol, his wife of nearly 62 years, their three children Pam, Michael, and Brenda, his sister, Sarah, and 10 grandchildren: Clay, Lauren, Jae, Melissa, Derek, Matt, Chris, Emily, Nolan and Angela. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, and many dear friends in his beloved Harrison, Arkansas. After having spent over 30 years designing sophisticated navigation systems, he once commented that the only regret he had was that he didn't move to Harrison sooner.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Holt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Phillip C. Collie II officiating. Private burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.
James Roland Gandy, a resident of Harrison, Arkansas for nearly 27 years, passed away in McKinney, Texas at the age of 88 in the early morning hours of April 17, 2021.
Born in Longview, Texas on November 3, 1932, he was the second child of Roma Jewel (Salter) and Enoch Dennis Gandy. Born between two sisters, Virginia Margeline (Nelson) and Sarah Beth (Weigelt), he grew up in East Texas, and graduated from Atlanta High School in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Texas National Guard, and remained there for two years, where he then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in England for most of his enlistment.
After his discharge, he was accepted into the Texas Technical College (Texas Tech University) where he studied electrical engineering and received several offers upon graduation. He selected a position in Southern California with North American Aviation (North American Rockwell, Rockwell International, Boeing), and it was there he began his career in aerospace, where his expertise in the design of guidance systems helped protect the United States by creating superior defense systems, many of which are still in use today. James also was instrumental in designing the navigation system used in the original Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
As a hobby, and way to earn extra money to send his children to college, James became an Enrolled Agent, and prepared individual income tax returns for over three decades. During the tax months of January, February, March, and April, James would prepare as many as four tax returns a night – after he finished working his day job as an engineer. During the peak of his tax career, he had nearly 300 clients. He continued to prepare taxes long after he retired, and tax work became a terrific way to stay connected to old friends and colleagues.
Shortly after James moved to Southern California, he met a beautiful secretary named Carol Frances Kautz. A romance soon blossomed and Carol and Jim were married in July of 1959. They purchased a home in Garden Grove, California, where they raised three children, Pamela Sands (Jetmore) of El Paso, Texas, Michael James Gandy of McKinney, Texas, and Brenda Gail (Ortiz) of Foothill Ranch, California. Jim and Carol were very involved in the community where they were active in their children's schools, participated in local politics, coached girl's softball and little league baseball, and supported their children in many ways.
Five years after his retirement from Rockwell International in 1989, Jim and Carol relocated to Harrison, Arkansas, where they purchased their dream home on five acres. They both became very active in their community, and made many friends through the Republican party, and through his volunteer work with the Boone County Election Commission. Their family loved to visit them on their lovely property.
Jim is survived by Carol, his wife of nearly 62 years, their three children Pam, Michael, and Brenda, his sister, Sarah, and 10 grandchildren: Clay, Lauren, Jae, Melissa, Derek, Matt, Chris, Emily, Nolan and Angela. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, and many dear friends in his beloved Harrison, Arkansas. After having spent over 30 years designing sophisticated navigation systems, he once commented that the only regret he had was that he didn't move to Harrison sooner.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Holt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Phillip C. Collie II officiating. Private burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.
Born in Longview, Texas on November 3, 1932, he was the second child of Roma Jewel (Salter) and Enoch Dennis Gandy. Born between two sisters, Virginia Margeline (Nelson) and Sarah Beth (Weigelt), he grew up in East Texas, and graduated from Atlanta High School in 1950. Upon graduation, he joined the Texas National Guard, and remained there for two years, where he then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in England for most of his enlistment.
After his discharge, he was accepted into the Texas Technical College (Texas Tech University) where he studied electrical engineering and received several offers upon graduation. He selected a position in Southern California with North American Aviation (North American Rockwell, Rockwell International, Boeing), and it was there he began his career in aerospace, where his expertise in the design of guidance systems helped protect the United States by creating superior defense systems, many of which are still in use today. James also was instrumental in designing the navigation system used in the original Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
As a hobby, and way to earn extra money to send his children to college, James became an Enrolled Agent, and prepared individual income tax returns for over three decades. During the tax months of January, February, March, and April, James would prepare as many as four tax returns a night – after he finished working his day job as an engineer. During the peak of his tax career, he had nearly 300 clients. He continued to prepare taxes long after he retired, and tax work became a terrific way to stay connected to old friends and colleagues.
Shortly after James moved to Southern California, he met a beautiful secretary named Carol Frances Kautz. A romance soon blossomed and Carol and Jim were married in July of 1959. They purchased a home in Garden Grove, California, where they raised three children, Pamela Sands (Jetmore) of El Paso, Texas, Michael James Gandy of McKinney, Texas, and Brenda Gail (Ortiz) of Foothill Ranch, California. Jim and Carol were very involved in the community where they were active in their children's schools, participated in local politics, coached girl's softball and little league baseball, and supported their children in many ways.
Five years after his retirement from Rockwell International in 1989, Jim and Carol relocated to Harrison, Arkansas, where they purchased their dream home on five acres. They both became very active in their community, and made many friends through the Republican party, and through his volunteer work with the Boone County Election Commission. Their family loved to visit them on their lovely property.
Jim is survived by Carol, his wife of nearly 62 years, their three children Pam, Michael, and Brenda, his sister, Sarah, and 10 grandchildren: Clay, Lauren, Jae, Melissa, Derek, Matt, Chris, Emily, Nolan and Angela. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, and many dear friends in his beloved Harrison, Arkansas. After having spent over 30 years designing sophisticated navigation systems, he once commented that the only regret he had was that he didn't move to Harrison sooner.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Holt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Phillip C. Collie II officiating. Private burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.
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