John Young passes away at age 87

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Famed astronaut and former Orlando resident John Young passed away today at age 87.

NASA tweeted the news about the local legend earlier this afternoon.

John Young, grew up in Orlando and attended school at Princeton Elementary according to Orange County Public Schools. He later graduation from Orlando High School, the current Howard Middle School.

After becoming a record-setting test pilot, he was selected to join NASA in 1962. One year later he flew the first manned Gemini Mission to space.

Young flew to the moon twice, walked on the surface of the moon and flew the first space shuttle mission. Between Gemini missions, Apollo missions and the space shuttle missions, he’s gone to space a total of six times in his 42 year career.

Arguably best known locally for State Road 423 being named for him, Young finally retired in 2004.