John Ray Couch, 78

MAGNOLIA - John Ray Couch, of Magnolia, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 78.

He was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Junction City, Ark., son of the late Jeff and Grace (Cullins) Couch.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, he relocated to Washington state and served in the Air National Guard, where he achieved his pilot license.

Mr. Couch was employed at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, where he worked in security, and in 1954 he moved to Southern California where he was employed with Standard Oil and later with North American Rockwell.

In the late 1960s he became part of the management team of the NASA space program.

Mr. Couch eased from the space program to become a small-business owner, owning and operating Ray's Engines in Southern California, where he met his present wife.

In 1964, he did relief work in Alaska following the Good Friday earthquake.

After he took his formal retirement, he moved to Oregon and then to his present location in Delaware.

He was an amateur radio operator.

Mr. Couch enjoyed sailing and boating.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Magdalena Couch; eight children, Dennis Couch of Oregon, Robert Couch of Oregon, Ronald Couch of Southern California, Rebecca Couch of Southern California, Donna Couch of Southern California, Josh Couch of New Jersey, Michelle Navarro of Oregon and Jasmine Navarro of New Jersey; two brothers, Benny Couch of Arkansas and Tom Couch of central California; two sisters, Margaret of Arkansas and Jean of Louisiana; seven brothers-in-law; 12 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, 100 Patriots Way, Millsboro.

Letters of condolences may be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.