Herbert “Herb” Elsworth Noakes, Jr.
Herbert “Herb” Elsworth Noakes, Jr., of League City, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023 in League City, Texas at the age of 78. He was born on January 12, 1945 in Alice, Texas to Herbert Elsworth and Irene Noakes.
Upon completion of his military service, Herb started an aerospace career in Houston at the Johnson Space Center (then known as the Manned Spacecraft Center). He first worked for Link Aerospace in the Flight Crew Operations Directorate on the Lunar Module Simulator (LMS). He left Link and in 1969 joined NASA in the Aircraft Operations Division (AOD) as a Quality Assurance Specialist. There he served as a Flight Engineer on NASA 2, the Gulfstream 1 executive aircraft. During his time at AOD he also worked on the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV) Project and the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) Project. In 1991, he joined the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate in Procurement Quality of the Quality Assurance and Engineering Division. In 1992 he was made Special Assistant to the Product Assurance Branch of the Quality Assurance Division. In 1994 until his retirement in 2000, he was the offsite NASA Quality Assurance Liaison to Krug Engineering.
Following his NASA retirement, Herb continued his aerospace career for 6 years as a Quality Engineer withthe Boeing Company.
Herb was preceded in death by his wife Nedra Noakes.
He is survived by his son Cameron Noakes and his wife Krista. grandsons Drake and Quinn and granddaughter Kara; daughter Kimberly Noakes and granddaughter Emily Noakes
The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2023 at 11:00am with a Ceremony at 12:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main, League City, Texas 77573 with Deacon Russ Carroll officiating. Interment will follow the ceremony at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
I was sad to hear of Herb’s passing. I had hoped to visit with him again at one of our AOD gatherings at Hooter’s or have him attend another one of our house concerts. He was a great guy, and always enjoyed talking with him about cars. Especially his 57 Chevy and his Vette. May he Rest In Peace.
Herb was one of my first NASA Quality Assurance acquaintances and he showed me around the facilities and a tour of the aircraft and defined their missions to me.
He was thoughtful, considerate and his “focus or quality” was clear with a fierce conviction.
RIP, Herb was liked by everyone.
Kim, praying for you and your family.
Herb will be fondly remembered. He was a good man, I was honored to have worked with him. Fly high Herb, sending prayers for your family.
Fair winds and following seas, shipmate.
You will be missed, fellow Eagle!
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the same eas.
From the hills.
From the skies.
All is well.
Rest in Peace.
God is neigh.
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. We had seen him in Corpus Christi a year ago at W B Ray reunion. I realized then he was struggling. Sadly will not be able to get to service as shoulder surgery the next week. May he Rest In Peace. God bless you all. Candy Alexander Cheney
My condolences to Cameron, Kim and your families. Herb was a friend and CoWorker both at Ellington and in Safety
I grew up with Herb in Corpus Christi. We went to school together from elementary through High School. He was a great guy, he will truly be missed.
I am so sorry for your loss.Herb was a kind and encouraging gentleman. My late husband ,Mark,always admired and respected his cousin. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. God bless and keep you .
Herb and my father worked together at NASA in flight operations. He was a great man and may he rest in peace.
Herb and I were introduced late in life via Ann Yardon, Marjorie Evans, and Christine Von Tour. Both of us suffering from “Engineering intellect” and the fast car syndrome, became instant friends. In my opinion, Herb epitomized everything that made America great, the right spirit at the right time. I already miss him, our talks, and our fast car rides to Galveston for lunch…
He leaves an indelable mark on all of us…