Mr. James Arthur Doucette, 78, of Covington, passed away Nov. 25. He graduated from technical school in the field of electrical construction and maintenance. Mr. Doucette joined the U.S. Navy, and proudly served his country as Electrician's Mate Second Class, before being honorably discharged after four years. He was recruited by Trans-World Airlines, for Kennedy Space Center, to supervise air-conditioning crews as well as the installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of space oriented environmental control systems. With the phasing-down of the space program, Mr. Doucette returned to private industry as a self-employed, licensed, service contractor.
A year later, he served the State of Florida as construction license expediter, for Brevard County, as well as the building inspector for heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation for Brevard County. After four years, he again returned to private industry as a service contractor covering six Southeastern states, and was recruited by RCA Service Company to work on U.S. Navy AUTEC Project at Andros Island, Bahamas, as an environmental control technician.
He left RCA to join Northrop/Iran Aircraft Industries Project as an environmental systems technician. After serving eight months, he was promoted to leadman, mechanical department and subsequently promoted to foreman, mechanical department, where he completed two contracts with Northrop Worldwide Aircraft Services, Inc. Mr. Doucette was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to dance and often hosted dance exhibitions, with his dance partner, in Florida. He was very involved in the Apollo Space Program, and was an intricate part of the team which made the landing on the moon even possible. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence L. and Marguerite A. (King) Doucette.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Steven King of California; sons and daughters-in-law Jerald and Eden Doucette of Ft. Collins, Colo., John and Mabel Doucette of Boston, Mass., James A. and Diane Doucette of Covington; six grandsons and three granddaughters; sisters Mildred A. Duratti, Ethel M. Gambalie, Barbara A. Johnson; brothers Lawrence L. Doucette Jr., Alfred R. Doucette, Douglas P. Doucette, all of Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mr. Doucette will be held tomorrow, Nov. 29, 2 p.m., at The Church at Covington, 11975 Ga. Highway 142, in Oxford, with Dr. Ed Bez officiating.
