In loving memory of
James "Jim" Stanley Bassichis
August 8, 1935 - March 12, 2022
James Stanley Bassichis, beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend, of Playa del Rey, California, passed away on March 12, 2022, at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, after a valiant fight against colon cancer. Jim was born 86 years ago on August 8, 1935 to the late Max and Shirley Bassichis in Cleveland, Ohio. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Aeronautical Engineering from Ohio State University, Jim enlisted in the Air Force. His military career ended with a short service extension related to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, and then an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain later that year.
Jim was immediately employed by Aerojet and then by TRW to work on the first manned moon landing envisioned by President Kennedy. At Aerojet he worked on the Apollo Service Module Engine designed to take the Command Module and the landing craft from earth orbit to lunar orbit and back. Then he became part of the TRW six-man team who developed the rocket engine for lowering the landing craft onto the moon's surface. TRW publicly commemorated this achievement just before the Apollo 11 launch with a billboard placed at the entrance to the Los Angeles International Airport. It read: "The last 10 miles are on us. Lunar descent engine by TRW." He continued to work on propulsion systems for spacecraft and satellites for the rest of his career at TRW and received numerous accolades for his contributions to the U.S. space program.
Jim wed his wife Karen, the love of his life, in 1996 and they had 26 years of wedded bliss. They both retired in 1998 from aerospace careers in California and spent their retirement years traveling all over the world and to Texas and Missouri for family events. They sampled the offerings at many a local pub and loved meeting the locals at each stop. Jim was a "fix-it" guy for both his and his wife's family, ensuring that bookshelves, lamps, coffee machines, grills, computers, cabinets, etc were assembled and in good working order. He also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and solitaire games.
Jim's life was centered around family, career, and travel. He was loved and is still held close in the hearts of his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Karen, his brother William Bassichis (wife Yudith), niece Karen Saland (husband Kenneth), nephews Benjamin Bassichis (wife Michelle) and Daniel Bassichis, brother-in-law James Kennedy (wife Dorothy), sisters-in-law Ruth and Mary Kennedy, and five great-nieces and four great-nephews.
Interment with military honors will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on March 29 at 9 a.m. Attendees must arrive 15 minutes before then so cars can be positioned in line for the pavilion ceremony.