Obit: ATOR, Joe Thomas
Author: Don Stowell Date: 10 Mar 2005 1:17 PM GMT
Surnames: Chadwick, Robuste,
Classification: Obituary
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Joe Thomas Ator
Dec. 3, 1924 – March 1, 2005
Funeral services were held Friday, March 4, at the Tehachapi Church of Christ for Joe Thomas Ator, 80, who passed away in a Bakersfield hospital on March 1.
Joe Tom, as he was called in his youth, was raised on a farm in Texas and his love for the country and the land stayed with him all his life. His early education started in rural schools and at junior high age, his father moved the family to Stephenville, Texas for educational reasons.
While in junior high, Joe learned how to play the trombone. He played in the high school band and the ROTC band at John Tarleton Jr. College. He joined he Navy rather than the Army because he hoped to be in the Navy band. He didn't actually get in the band, but he played in bands in several places where he was stationed.
Joe also developed a life-long interest in astronomy in high school. This interest coincided with the work that he was doing at the Aerospace Corporation and also became a subject that he taught at Pepperdine University, CSU in Northridge, Santa Monica Jr. College and Bakersfield Community College. When he first moved to Bear Valley Springs, he set up a large telescope and enjoyed watching the stars.
After renewing an acquaintanceship with Beverly Chadwick at Abilene Christian College, they became engaged and were married in September 1947. Joe graduated from ACC as one of the first two students to receive a degree in physics from that college. He received a masters in physics from Texas Technological University.
After his graduation, he and Beverly moved to California where Joe worked for numerous scientific companies, including Librascope, Inc. where he was instrumental in the design and production of the Libratrol 500, one of the original industrial process computers. He then went to the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo where he worked for more than 25 years.
He was blessed to always enjoy the work he did and was highly respected by those with whom he worked.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder, teacher and song leader for many years. Joe and Beverly retired to Bear Valley Springs in 1993.
Joe played his trombone again, first with the Cal State Bakersfield Community College concert band and then with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.
Joe’s goodness, kindness, and steadfastness have been a rock for those who knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by those who are left behind.
Joe is survived by his wife, Beverly Ator of Bear Valley Springs; sons, Timothy Ator of San Fernando, Gregory Ator and his wife Vickie of Galaton, Tenn. and Anthony Ator and his wife Cathy of Mission Hills; daughter, Melanie Robuste and her husband Francesco of Barcelona; grandchildren, Heather, Erin, Chad, Jonathan and Andrew Ator and Gala Robuste; brothers, Herbert Ator of Texas, John Paul Ator of Virginia and Roy Ator of Texas; and sister, Dorothy Bates of Texas. He was preceded in death by grandson, Max Robuste; brothers, Lloyd, Dexter and Donald; and sister, Ruth.
Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society
Courtesy of Tehachapi News
Tehachapi, Kern, CA
Published: Volume 105 - No. 47
March 9-15, 2005
Author: Don Stowell Date: 10 Mar 2005 1:17 PM GMT
Surnames: Chadwick, Robuste,
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Joe Thomas Ator
Dec. 3, 1924 – March 1, 2005
Funeral services were held Friday, March 4, at the Tehachapi Church of Christ for Joe Thomas Ator, 80, who passed away in a Bakersfield hospital on March 1.
Joe Tom, as he was called in his youth, was raised on a farm in Texas and his love for the country and the land stayed with him all his life. His early education started in rural schools and at junior high age, his father moved the family to Stephenville, Texas for educational reasons.
While in junior high, Joe learned how to play the trombone. He played in the high school band and the ROTC band at John Tarleton Jr. College. He joined he Navy rather than the Army because he hoped to be in the Navy band. He didn't actually get in the band, but he played in bands in several places where he was stationed.
Joe also developed a life-long interest in astronomy in high school. This interest coincided with the work that he was doing at the Aerospace Corporation and also became a subject that he taught at Pepperdine University, CSU in Northridge, Santa Monica Jr. College and Bakersfield Community College. When he first moved to Bear Valley Springs, he set up a large telescope and enjoyed watching the stars.
After renewing an acquaintanceship with Beverly Chadwick at Abilene Christian College, they became engaged and were married in September 1947. Joe graduated from ACC as one of the first two students to receive a degree in physics from that college. He received a masters in physics from Texas Technological University.
After his graduation, he and Beverly moved to California where Joe worked for numerous scientific companies, including Librascope, Inc. where he was instrumental in the design and production of the Libratrol 500, one of the original industrial process computers. He then went to the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo where he worked for more than 25 years.
He was blessed to always enjoy the work he did and was highly respected by those with whom he worked.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder, teacher and song leader for many years. Joe and Beverly retired to Bear Valley Springs in 1993.
Joe played his trombone again, first with the Cal State Bakersfield Community College concert band and then with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.
Joe’s goodness, kindness, and steadfastness have been a rock for those who knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by those who are left behind.
Joe is survived by his wife, Beverly Ator of Bear Valley Springs; sons, Timothy Ator of San Fernando, Gregory Ator and his wife Vickie of Galaton, Tenn. and Anthony Ator and his wife Cathy of Mission Hills; daughter, Melanie Robuste and her husband Francesco of Barcelona; grandchildren, Heather, Erin, Chad, Jonathan and Andrew Ator and Gala Robuste; brothers, Herbert Ator of Texas, John Paul Ator of Virginia and Roy Ator of Texas; and sister, Dorothy Bates of Texas. He was preceded in death by grandson, Max Robuste; brothers, Lloyd, Dexter and Donald; and sister, Ruth.
Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society
Courtesy of Tehachapi News
Tehachapi, Kern, CA
Published: Volume 105 - No. 47
March 9-15, 2005
Obit: ATOR, Joe Thomas
Author: Don Stowell Date: 10 Mar 2005 1:17 PM GMT
Surnames: Chadwick, Robuste,
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Joe Thomas Ator
Dec. 3, 1924 – March 1, 2005
Funeral services were held Friday, March 4, at the Tehachapi Church of Christ for Joe Thomas Ator, 80, who passed away in a Bakersfield hospital on March 1.
Joe Tom, as he was called in his youth, was raised on a farm in Texas and his love for the country and the land stayed with him all his life. His early education started in rural schools and at junior high age, his father moved the family to Stephenville, Texas for educational reasons.
While in junior high, Joe learned how to play the trombone. He played in the high school band and the ROTC band at John Tarleton Jr. College. He joined he Navy rather than the Army because he hoped to be in the Navy band. He didn't actually get in the band, but he played in bands in several places where he was stationed.
Joe also developed a life-long interest in astronomy in high school. This interest coincided with the work that he was doing at the Aerospace Corporation and also became a subject that he taught at Pepperdine University, CSU in Northridge, Santa Monica Jr. College and Bakersfield Community College. When he first moved to Bear Valley Springs, he set up a large telescope and enjoyed watching the stars.
After renewing an acquaintanceship with Beverly Chadwick at Abilene Christian College, they became engaged and were married in September 1947. Joe graduated from ACC as one of the first two students to receive a degree in physics from that college. He received a masters in physics from Texas Technological University.
After his graduation, he and Beverly moved to California where Joe worked for numerous scientific companies, including Librascope, Inc. where he was instrumental in the design and production of the Libratrol 500, one of the original industrial process computers. He then went to the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo where he worked for more than 25 years.
He was blessed to always enjoy the work he did and was highly respected by those with whom he worked.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder, teacher and song leader for many years. Joe and Beverly retired to Bear Valley Springs in 1993.
Joe played his trombone again, first with the Cal State Bakersfield Community College concert band and then with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.
Joe’s goodness, kindness, and steadfastness have been a rock for those who knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by those who are left behind.
Joe is survived by his wife, Beverly Ator of Bear Valley Springs; sons, Timothy Ator of San Fernando, Gregory Ator and his wife Vickie of Galaton, Tenn. and Anthony Ator and his wife Cathy of Mission Hills; daughter, Melanie Robuste and her husband Francesco of Barcelona; grandchildren, Heather, Erin, Chad, Jonathan and Andrew Ator and Gala Robuste; brothers, Herbert Ator of Texas, John Paul Ator of Virginia and Roy Ator of Texas; and sister, Dorothy Bates of Texas. He was preceded in death by grandson, Max Robuste; brothers, Lloyd, Dexter and Donald; and sister, Ruth.
Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society
Courtesy of Tehachapi News
Tehachapi, Kern, CA
Published: Volume 105 - No. 47
March 9-15, 2005
Author: Don Stowell Date: 10 Mar 2005 1:17 PM GMT
Surnames: Chadwick, Robuste,
Classification: Obituary
Post Reply | Mark Unread Report Abuse Print Message
Joe Thomas Ator
Dec. 3, 1924 – March 1, 2005
Funeral services were held Friday, March 4, at the Tehachapi Church of Christ for Joe Thomas Ator, 80, who passed away in a Bakersfield hospital on March 1.
Joe Tom, as he was called in his youth, was raised on a farm in Texas and his love for the country and the land stayed with him all his life. His early education started in rural schools and at junior high age, his father moved the family to Stephenville, Texas for educational reasons.
While in junior high, Joe learned how to play the trombone. He played in the high school band and the ROTC band at John Tarleton Jr. College. He joined he Navy rather than the Army because he hoped to be in the Navy band. He didn't actually get in the band, but he played in bands in several places where he was stationed.
Joe also developed a life-long interest in astronomy in high school. This interest coincided with the work that he was doing at the Aerospace Corporation and also became a subject that he taught at Pepperdine University, CSU in Northridge, Santa Monica Jr. College and Bakersfield Community College. When he first moved to Bear Valley Springs, he set up a large telescope and enjoyed watching the stars.
After renewing an acquaintanceship with Beverly Chadwick at Abilene Christian College, they became engaged and were married in September 1947. Joe graduated from ACC as one of the first two students to receive a degree in physics from that college. He received a masters in physics from Texas Technological University.
After his graduation, he and Beverly moved to California where Joe worked for numerous scientific companies, including Librascope, Inc. where he was instrumental in the design and production of the Libratrol 500, one of the original industrial process computers. He then went to the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo where he worked for more than 25 years.
He was blessed to always enjoy the work he did and was highly respected by those with whom he worked.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder, teacher and song leader for many years. Joe and Beverly retired to Bear Valley Springs in 1993.
Joe played his trombone again, first with the Cal State Bakersfield Community College concert band and then with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra.
Joe’s goodness, kindness, and steadfastness have been a rock for those who knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by those who are left behind.
Joe is survived by his wife, Beverly Ator of Bear Valley Springs; sons, Timothy Ator of San Fernando, Gregory Ator and his wife Vickie of Galaton, Tenn. and Anthony Ator and his wife Cathy of Mission Hills; daughter, Melanie Robuste and her husband Francesco of Barcelona; grandchildren, Heather, Erin, Chad, Jonathan and Andrew Ator and Gala Robuste; brothers, Herbert Ator of Texas, John Paul Ator of Virginia and Roy Ator of Texas; and sister, Dorothy Bates of Texas. He was preceded in death by grandson, Max Robuste; brothers, Lloyd, Dexter and Donald; and sister, Ruth.
Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Wood Family Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society
Courtesy of Tehachapi News
Tehachapi, Kern, CA
Published: Volume 105 - No. 47
March 9-15, 2005
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