Thomas C. Wirth, 83, of Orange Beach, AL passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019.

He was born on February 8, 1935 in Nekoosa, WI and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Nekoosa, WI and Nekoosa High School. Tom served his country honorably in the Korean War. Afterwards, he moved to Florida's Space Coast and started working for Martin Marietta Corp. at Cape Canaveral, FL. While working, he attended FIT in Melbourne, FL where he earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Tom worked on every manned space program except Mercury, starting with Gemini, and ending with the Space Shuttle Program. He eventually was promoted to director and moved to New Orleans, LA in 1985. He was soon promoted to Vice President and eventually to President of Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems in charge of the External Tank Project. Tom retired in 1995 and moved to Pensacola Beach, FL. He eventually moved to Orange Beach, AL. He was the recipient of two Distinguished Public Service Medals and the coveted Silver Snoopy Award, presented from NASA's Astronaut Office.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Gertrude (Goretski) Wirth; one sister, Virginia Wirth and two brothers, Jerome and Norbert Wirth.

Survivors include his loving wife, Patricia Wirth of Orange Beach, AL; three daughters, Julie Reid (Art) of Wilmington, NC, Tricia Sweenie (Jay) of Melbourne, FL, and Mauri Romero (Don) of Acworth, GA; five sons, Tommy Wirth (Jacque) of Melbourne, FL, Ted Wirth of Milford, CT, Timmy Wirth of Melbourne, FL, Patrick Wirth of Melbourne, FL, and Craig Coleman (Mica) of New Orleans, LA; as well as 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 10:30am until a Memorial Service beginning at 11:30am Friday, February 15, 2019 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. Committal will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Ste.# 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Ramon Aycock and Cardiology Consultants of Pensacola and Baptist Hospital Progressive Care Unit North.