LONNIE BLOCKER

Lonnie Blocker, 81, of Rockledge, Florida passed away on February 8, 2022, at Stewart Medical Center Hospital after a brief illness.  Born in Arlington, Georgia on February 12, 1940, he was the son of the late Charlie Luke Blocker and Dessie Mae Blocker.

He graduated from Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce in 1959.  After high school he attended Bethune Cookman (College) University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Chemistry in 1963. He also graduated with a Master’s of Commercial Science in General Management in 1969 from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Lonnie began his career as a Technical Management Specialist at Kennedy Space Center in 1963.  As a new college graduate, Lonnie was one of the two African Americans hired by NASA.  During the course of his 35-year career, he held many positions of responsibility including Aerospace Technologist in the Design Engineering Directorate where he coordinated design policies, plans and procedures and was also responsible for the development, coordination, and maintenance of the STS/Cargo facility, systems, and equipment baseline.   When he retired in 1998, he was the Chief of Project Integration Branch in the Shuttle Logistics Operations Directorate.  After retirement from NASA, he taught Mathematics in several Brevard County Schools.  He also was licensed by the State of Florida as a Certified Real Estate Broker, Certified Building Contractor, Certified Life, Health, and Annuity Agent and held a State of Florida Security License.

Mr. Blocker was the first African American to serve as Acting President and CEO of the Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union (currently Launch Credit Union) which recently reached $1 billion in assets.  He held many positions on the Board and was currently the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Lonnie was a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for 61 years and a Charter Member of Iota Beta Lambda Chapter where he held the positions of President of the local Chapter for 15 years and Historian.  As part of his giving and sharing he was passionate about community service. For many years he was the Boy Scout Troop Leader for the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and one of several Boy Scout Troop Leaders at Rockledge United Methodist Church.  In the 60’s Lonnie joined the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. Hugh F. Brockington.  He was a devoted Sunday School Teacher, teaching young boys ages 8-10 years old.  For several years during the late 80’s he became a member of the Trustee Board.  In 1988 he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of the late Rev. Floyd Bass.  He concurrently served in the positions of Deacon and Trustee supporting the total church program.

He is survived by his spouse of 56 years, Marion P. Blocker and two sons, Michael Blocker of Atlanta, and Eric Blocker of Orlando.  He is also survived by three siblings:  Betty Williams, Fort Pierce, FL; Ora Perkins, Albany, NY; and Gloria Demps (Thomas), Miami, FL.  He also leaves to mourn his passing five grandchildren:  Mikesha Blocker, Erica Blocker, Tashara Blocker, Derisha Blocker, and Deandre Blocker; three great grandchildren:  Carter Blocker, Chloe Blocker, Elijah Rent and a host of cousins, aunts uncles, friends, and church family.

Please click the live-streamed link below to attend virtually.  

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in memory of Lonnie Blocker to HIS fraternity - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship Fund. (See Donations Link Below)