West Virginia’s first astronaut, Jon McBride, died on Wednesday at age 80. He died a week shy of his 81 birthday following both cancer and Alzheimer’s diagnoses, according to an obituary shared by Island Cremations and Funeral Home. McBride was born in Charleston and grew up in Beckley where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School before going to West Virginia University. McBride became an astronaut after working as a navy pilot for several years, and earned the opportunity to pilot the Space Shuttle Challenger in Oct. 1984. According to an obituary, a visitation will be held on Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Charleston followed by services. A wreath will be displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Atlantis Exhibit on Merrit Island, Florida on Aug. 13 with a memorial service expected to be held on Oct. 5 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Atlantis Exhibit Rocket Garden.