Longtime NASA Contractor Herbert Jones Dies at 100

The Arkansas native worked on the Apollo/Saturn V program and was an active church leader.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:50am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of a small country church with a steeple, surrounded by greenery and bathed in warm natural light, conveying a sense of tranquility and reverence.The peaceful rural church where Herbert Jones found spiritual fulfillment reflects the quiet dignity of his long life of service.Calico Rock Today

Herbert Rudell Jones, a longtime contractor at the Kennedy Space Center who worked on the Apollo/Saturn V program, died on March 28, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, at the age of 100. Jones had a long career in the aerospace industry and was also an active member of several Baptist churches, serving as a deacon and in other leadership roles.

Why it matters

Jones' life and career spanned major events in American history, from the Great Depression to the Space Race. His work on the Apollo program was critical to the success of the moon landings, and his lifelong dedication to his faith and community service made him a respected figure in multiple states.

The details

Over the course of his 25-year career at the Kennedy Space Center, Jones worked for several major contractors, including Boeing, IT&T/Federal Electric, Planning Research Corporation, and EG&G, as a senior operations inspector focused on electrical, mechanical, and general construction reliability. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as a missile field test inspector with General Dynamics in San Diego. Jones accepted Christ as a teenager and was actively involved in Baptist churches in Arkansas, Florida, and elsewhere, serving as a deacon and in other leadership roles.

  • Jones was born on May 29, 1925 in Bexar, Arkansas.
  • He died on March 28, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida.

The players

Herbert Rudell Jones

A 100-year-old aerospace contractor who worked on the Apollo/Saturn V program and was an active church leader.

John Franklin Jones

Jones' father, a veterinarian.

Mittie Rose Watson Jones

Jones' mother.

Robbie Jones

Jones' daughter, who lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Carl Davis

The late pastor of Halls Chapel Church in Jordan, Arkansas, where Jones served as church secretary and treasurer.

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What’s next

A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Hand Cemetery in Jordan, Arkansas.

The takeaway

Herbert Jones' life exemplified the combination of technical expertise, community service, and faith that defined many Americans who lived through the mid-20th century. His work on the Apollo program and his decades of dedication to Baptist churches in multiple states made him a respected figure in both the aerospace industry and his local communities.