SAN JOSE, Calif. — Henry Melvin Mack, 83, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.

Melvin was born on Sept. 10, 1934 in Vicksburg. He was educated at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Vicksburg and public schools.

After high school, Melvin would go on to serve our nation honorably in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army.

After serving in the military, he matriculated at Jackson State University and graduated with a degree in biology. After a short stint working at University Hospital, he was offered an opportunity to work for the National Aeronautical & Space Administration (NASA).

Melvin worked 30 years at NASA, based out of the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. His most prized project was the SL-J Frog Egg Experiment that launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor (Mission STS- 47) on Sept. 12, 1992. This mission was also noteworthy because of two firsts: The first female African-American astronaut—Dr. Mae Jemison, and the first married astronauts—Jan Davis and Mark Lee were on board. Melvin served as the trainer for this project.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eddie Lee and Joe Neal.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne; daughter, Melva; beloved granddaughter, Delia; as well as an aunt; in-laws, Ervin and Dorothy Savage, Jesse Savage Jr., and Erma and Alex Wilson; cousins, nieces and nephews- grand-nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Services will be Thursday, Dec. 27, 2017, in San Jose.