Kern County Obituaries

Joe Thomas Ator

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

Dec. 3, 1924 – March 1, 2005
Funeral services were held Friday, March 4, at the Tehachapi Church of 
Christ for Joe Thomas Ator, 80, who passed away in a Bakersfield hospital 
on March 1.

Joe Tom, as he was called in his youth, was raised on a farm in Texas and 
his love for the country and the land stayed with him all his life. His 
early education started in rural schools and at junior high age, his father 
moved the family to Stephenville, Texas for educational reasons. 

While in junior high, Joe learned how to play the trombone. He played in the  
high school band and the ROTC band at John Tarleton Jr. College. He joined 
he Navy rather than the Army because he hoped to be in the Navy band. He 
didn't actually get in the band, but he played in bands in several places 
where he was stationed. 

Joe also developed a life-long interest in astronomy in high school. This 
interest coincided with the work that he was doing at the Aerospace 
Corporation and also became a subject that he taught at Pepperdine 
University, CSU in Northridge, Santa Monica Jr. College and Bakersfield 
Community College. When he first moved to Bear Valley Springs, he set up a 
large telescope and enjoyed watching the stars. After renewing an 
acquaintanceship with Beverly Chadwick at Abilene Christian College, they 
became engaged and were married in September 1947. Joe graduated from ACC 
as one of the first two students to receive a degree in physics from that 
college. He received a masters in physics from Texas Technological 
University. 

After his graduation, he and Beverly moved to California where Joe worked 
for numerous scientific companies, including Librascope, Inc. where he was 
instrumental in the design and production of the Libratrol 500, one of the 
original industrial process computers. He then went to the Aerospace 
Corporation in El Segundo where he worked for more than 25 years.

He was blessed to always enjoy the work he did and was highly respected by 
those with whom he worked. 
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder, 
teacher and song leader for many years. Joe and Beverly retired to Bear Valley 
Springs in 1993. 

Joe played his trombone again, first with the Cal State Bakersfield Community 
College concert band and then with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra. 

Joe’s goodness, kindness, and steadfastness have been a rock for those who 
knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by those who are left behind.

Joe is survived by his wife, Beverly Ator of Bear Valley Springs; sons, 
Timothy Ator of San Fernando, Gregory Ator and his wife Vickie of Galaton, 
Tenn. and Anthony Ator and his

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.calarchives4u.com/photos/kern/