James Paul Ramsey grew up in Ohio where he graduated from Mansfield High School in 1960. Having a gift for math and science, he dreamed of being an astronaut. With this in mind, he entered the aerospace engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. Jim chose the Co-Op program at the University enabling him to both attend classes and work in a related field. The work assignment was located at The David Taylor Model Basin in Carderock, Md. His experiences at the Model Basin included various projects dealing with underwater research.
After graduation from Cincinnati, Jim moved to Washington D C where he worked. While working as an engineer, he sought and acquired a pilot’s license with an instrument rating. Subsequently, he met and married the former JoAnne Fowler a southern girl from the Mississippi Delta, an art educator and award winning watercolorist. Jim took her flying on their first date making sure she also cared about flying. Eventually they bought and operated a Cessna aircraft. Once on a trip to England they were thrilled to fly back to the States from London on a British Air Concorde.
Jim’s career was in private industry using his knowledge of naval research to support various government agencies. Eventually he helped to found Mar, Inc. and later became its President and CEO. Though his work led him to Oceanic exploratory assignments, he never lost his love of air flight and space exploration. For his 75th birthday, Jim fulfilled another dream. An opportunity arose for him to ride in and fly a P51 Mustang of which he is a great admirer.
Jim is a proud supporter of the Air and Space Museum and the Udvar-Hazy Center for their work in preserving the history of aviation through restoration and exhibits honoring air and space and the heroes who have explored it.