Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician who worked for NASA and played a vital role in the success of many space missions. She was one of the first African American women to work as a NASA scientist and she received many honors for her contributions, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
But before she became a NASA legend, she was married to James Goble, a chemistry teacher who supported her career and shared her passion for math. Who was James Francis Goble and what was his life like with Katherine Johnson? Here is his Wikipedia profile and biography.
Early Life and Education
James Goble was born in 1913 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the same town where Katherine Johnson was born five years later. He was the son of William and Mary Goble, who were both teachers. He had two brothers, William Jr. and Robert, and a sister, Ruth.
He attended the segregated public schools in his town and graduated from high school in 1931. He then enrolled at West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), a historically black institution where he studied chemistry. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1937 and became a chemistry teacher at a high school in Marion, Virginia.
James Francis Goble BIO/Wiki
| Name | James Francis Goble |
|---|---|
| Birth date | March 29, 1913 |
| Birthplace | Marion, Virginia, U.S. |
| Death date | December 20, 1956 |
| Death place | Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Brain tumor |
| Occupation | Chemistry teacher |
| Spouse | Katherine Johnson (1939-1956) |
| Children | Constance, Joylette, and Katherine |
Marriage and Family
James Francis Goble met Katherine Coleman, who would later become Katherine Johnson, at West Virginia State College. They were both math enthusiasts and they shared a common interest in solving problems. They fell in love and got married in 1939, when James was 26 and Katherine was 21.
They moved to Marion, Virginia, where James taught chemistry and Katherine taught math and French at the same high school. They had three daughters: Constance, Joylette, and Katherine. They were a happy and devoted family who enjoyed spending time together and playing games.
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Career and Accomplishments
James Goble was a dedicated and respected teacher who inspired his students to pursue higher education and careers in science. He also encouraged his wife to continue her studies and apply for a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor of NASA, in 1953. He supported her decision to move to Hampton, Virginia, where NACA had a research center that hired African American women as human computers, who performed complex calculations for the engineers.
He stayed in Marion with their daughters until they finished the school year and then joined Katherine in Hampton. He was proud of his wife’s achievements and often helped her with her math problems at home. He also took care of the household chores and the children while Katherine worked long hours at NACA and later at NASA.
Death and Legacy
James Francis Goble was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1956 and underwent surgery. However, the tumor was inoperable and he died later that year at the age of 43. He left behind his wife and three daughters, who were devastated by his loss.
Katherine Johnson later remarried to James A. Johnson, a war veteran and an army officer, in 1959. She continued to work for NASA until her retirement in 1986. She died in 2020 at the age of 101. James Francis Goble is remembered as a loving husband, a caring father, a talented teacher, and a supportive partner of one of the most influential women in the history of space exploration.
He was buried at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, next to his parents and siblings. His grave is marked with a simple headstone that reads: “James F. Goble, 1913-1956, Husband of Katherine G. Johnson”.
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Content Source:- Wikipedia.org
