RIP Space Journalist Jay Barbree

The dean of all journalists at the Cape. Was the very definition of acerbic to anybody new to the game, but I expected that coming in. If you were in his circle of friends, he was a bit more friendly.

He covered every launch starting with the Vanguard 3 failure in 1957. Got himself hired by Cocoa Beach's WEZY and quickly wound up as NBC's local correspondent. Was definitely Jules Bergman's top rival for scoops, particularly Apollo 1 and Challenger.

Had a heart attack while walking on the beach in 1987 and was declared clinically dead but was resuscitated and didn't miss a launch after bypass surgery.

Jay Barbree, legendary space journalist, dies at 87

 

As a space program nerd, I read his autobiography (Live From Cape Canaveral) years ago. RIP.

 

Loved his biography of Neil Armstrong. Even worked the Gorskys into it.

RIP.

 

Running out of people where 'acerbic" is a positive trait.