03/31/2026
Bryan Lee Huneycutt, 78, of Penn Valley, California, passed unexpectedly but peacefully into the presence of the Lord on March 15, 2026, in Grass Valley, California, after a brief illness. Bryan was born in High Point, North Carolina, to Jay Doyce Huneycutt and Helen Virginia Dean Huneycutt, both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and carried with him a lifelong curiosity about the world and how things worked.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from North Carolina State University in 1969 and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His career began at the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory (Calspan) in Buffalo, New York, where he worked in radar systems. Even as a young professional, Bryan made time for his many athletic pursuits. He played tennis, including tournaments, became a certified ski instructor and skied throughout the United States and Europe, and was also a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed golf, ping pong, and sailing, and played on his company’s softball, basketball, and bowling teams.
In 1974, Bryan moved to Pasadena, California, to join NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), beginning a remarkable 51-year career defined by dedication and quiet brilliance. He contributed to numerous groundbreaking missions, including the Viking Project, SEASAT, Shuttle Imaging Radar missions, and Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C. He played a role in the Mars Pathfinder mission and the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Over the course of his career, he helped advance the design and understanding of synthetic aperture radar systems and was published 15 times. He also served as NASA’s representative to international organizations, helping protect the frequency spectrum essential to space-based research. His role at JPL took him all over the world, and he loved exploring new places and bringing his family along when possible. Bryan retired in October 2025, just five months before his passing, after a lifetime of work he truly loved.
It was in Pasadena that Bryan met his wife, Jeanne. They married on December 12, 1976, and recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Together they built a life rooted in partnership, steadiness, and a deep love for one another and their family. With Bryan’s recent retirement, they were looking forward to more family travel and more time on the tennis court. They had recently returned from Arizona, where they celebrated their son Adam earning his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Bryan and Jeanne moved to Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley, California, in 2020 to be closer to their daughter’s family and their two grandchildren.
Bryan was a gentle and deeply kind man, known for his steady presence, quiet sense of humor, and ever-present smile. He was never one to anger, always ready for something fun, and genuinely interested in the world around him. He loved travel, good food, tennis, and exploring family genealogy. He was almost always in a blue shirt, often with notes tucked into his front pocket. More than anything, Bryan loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather who rarely missed a game or activity. His grandchildren could count on him being there, cheering them on with warmth and pride. He showed his love in countless quiet ways, through his presence, his attention, and his unwavering support, although he never let anyone win a board game.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne Ellen Soule Huneycutt; his children, Ashley Johnson and Adam Huneycutt; his son-in-law, Brandon Johnson; his cherished grandchildren, Jacob and Avonlea Johnson; and his brothers, Don, Alan, and David Huneycutt. Bryan was a man of faith, and in his final moments, he shared words that reflected the peace he carried: “I am peaceful, I know where I’m going, I have a Lord in Jesus to see. I’ll miss all you Loved Ones.”
