James Alan Feibelman August 30, 1933 – March 20, 2019 Share this obituary Upload Photo| View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences James “Jim” Feibelman, age 85, of Canyon Lake, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at his home with his family at his side. Jim was born on August 30, 1933, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Jay and Jean Feibelman. He attended Port Chester High School in NY and graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, TX.
After graduation, Jim attended The University of Texas in Austin from 1951-1956 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and then he got his MS from Air Force Institute of Technology in Aerospace Engineering. Jim’s hobbies included: computer use, water sports, reading, and musical keyboard. He always dreamed of living on an ocean or lake, so after much research and learning of land for sale at Canyon Lake, they visited and looked at the land.
Jim and his wife Irma bought a lot and built their home two years later, where he and Irma have lived until Jim’s passing. Jim retired as a Lt. Col.
from the United States Air Force in May 1981, after serving our country for 23 years. He began his military career in Illinois and moved on to France and Oklahoma, serving as an Aircraft maintenance Officer. He then served as a Minuteman Launch Controller in Montana.
Jim was assigned in California and Alabama as an Aerospace Engineer in the NASA Space Shuttle program. Jim’s final assignment was at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Jim retired a second time in 1992 from McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Corporation where he worked as an aerospace engineer.
After moving to Canyon Lake, Texas in 1993, he volunteered at the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce, Life and Bronze member and Docent of Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country and a member of the construction committee, the Canyon Lake Noon Lions Club, and served in positions at the First United Methodist Church, he also served as President Carousel Dance Club of New Braunfels. Jim was awarded the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Director’s Commendation and also received the Airforce Meritorious Service Metal. Jim’s Military and job career included being a Commissioned 2nd Lt.
, Air Force ROTC 1956; Went to Aircraft Maintenance Officers School at Chanute AFB, IL. Then to Dreux AB in France as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with C-123’s and C-119’s. He left the Air Force for a short time from 1960-1961, then recalled during the Berlin Crisis to Tinker AFB, OK as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer for C-124’s.
He applied for extended active duty and went to Malmstrom AFB as a Minuteman Missile Launch Control Commander, then moved to Los Angeles in 1966 as an engine project officer in charge of Rocketdyne contracts for the Atlas Launch Vehicles being manufactured in San Diego. Having learned about DOD’s interest in NASA’s Space Shuttle, Jim applied for the program and went to the Marshall Space Flight Center as an engineer working on the design interface for DOD requirements for the Shuttle. After four years at Marshall, He continued similar activities at Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston.
After retirement from the Air Force in 1981, with a rank of Lt. Colonel, Jim immediately went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Corporation. During his first week the first Space Shuttle launched on April 12, 1981, piloted by astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen.
Jim had different jobs, the main one being a Time-liner, developing minute-by-minute scenarios for astronauts and supporting the flights at a control in the Mission Control Center. He also later worked as an engineer on the Space Station development before retiring for the second time in 1993. Jim is survived by his wife, Irma M. Feibelman; his children, Jan and Greg Tetreault, Eric Feibelman, Jean Feibelman; daughter-in-law, Julie Feibelman; two grandchildren, Trevor and Meagan Feibelman and three step-grandchildren, Andrew Tetreault, Allison Tetreault and Kathryn Tetreault Schilling and four step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Jay (Nancy) Feibelman; nephews, Bobby (Julie) Feibelman and Scott (Elia) Feibelman; sister-in-law, Charlene Pierce and brother-in-law, Glen (Diane) Morgan.
Jim is preceded in death by a son, Brent Feibelman. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday March 23, 2019, at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Canyon Lake, Texas. Burial will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at 10:00 AM in Frisco, Texas, at the Rowlett Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorials may be given to: Hope Hospice, First United Methodist Church of Canyon Lake or the Canyon Lake Noon Lions Club.
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