FRANCE

MIMS, Fla. — Mr. John Edward France of Mims died peacefully April 8, 2012, after a long illness. Mr. France was born in Surry County to Ernest John and Georgia Midkiff France on Oct. 24, 1940. He retired in 2009 after a 45-year career with NASA at Cape Canaveral. He was a fuel specialist and worked with the Space Shuttle Program as well as assisting with missile launches and flight crew training. He aways gave credit to his beloved teacher and mentor, Coach Wallace Shelton, who encouraged and inspired him to make his dreams come true. Mr. France was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Joe France; his nephew, Billy Anderson; and his great-nephew, Andrew Alderman. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn F. And Bruce Jessup of Tobaccoville, N.C.; and his two sons, Tim France of Forsyth County and his faithful caretaker, John France of the home. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Ann F. and Bill Anderson of Hillsville, Va.; his sister-in-law, Sandra France of Mount Airy; his nieces, Susan Anderson, who was devoted to him and handled all of his North Carolina affairs, Alice A. Medlin, Laura A. Metts and Sallie A. Vernon; and his nephew, Mark France. He is survived by three beautiful grandchildren, Ashley, Anna and William Jessup, all of Tobaccoville. The family would like to express its appreciation to John’s special friends, Richard and Harvey Simmons.