Background
Dempsey, James Raymon was born on October 4, 1921 in Red Bay, Alabama, United States. Son of Newman W. and Maude (Berry) Dempsey.
Dempsey, James Raymon was born on October 4, 1921 in Red Bay, Alabama, United States. Son of Newman W. and Maude (Berry) Dempsey.
Student, University Alabama, 1937—1939. Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, 1943. Master of Science, University Michigan, 1947.
Doctor of Engineering (honorary), University Michigan, 1964.
Commissioned Second lieutenant, United States Army, 1943;
advanced through grades lieutenant colonel, United States Air Force, 1951;
with photo reconnaissance squadron, England, France, World World War II;
squadron commander, 1945;
guided missiles project officer, then chief guided missile projects, (Research and Development Directorate, Air Force Headquarters), 1948-1949;
Executive officer to, (Deputy Chief Staff for Development), 1950-1951;
chief project section, (Air Force Missile Test Center), Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
then operations officer missile test range, (Air Force Missile Test Center), 1951-1953;
resigned, (Air Force Missile Test Center), 1953;
assistant to vice president planning Convair division, General dynamics corporation, 1953-1954;
director, General dynamics corporation (Atlas program), 1954-1957;
manager, General dynamics corporation (Convair-Astronautics division), 1957-1958;
vice president, General dynamics corporation (Convair division), 1958-1961;
senior vice president, General dynamics corporation
president, General Dynamics Astronautics, 1961-1965;
president, General Dynamics Convair, 1965-1966;
vice president missiles, space and electronics group, Avco Corporation, 1966-1968;
vice president, group executive government products group, Avco Corporation, 1968-1975;
president, Digital Broadcasting Corporation, 1978-1979;
managing partner, Josip Juraj Finnigan Industries, Duluth, Georgia, 1978-1985;
president, Southeastern Rail Car Company, 1986-1989;
private investor, since 1990. Trustee Phoenix Series Fund, 1968-1991, Big Edge Series Fund, 1985-1991, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund, 1989-1991, Precious Metal Holdings, 1980-1993, Keystone International, 1987-1993. Chairman of the Board Transatlantic Capital Corporation, Transatlantic Investment Corporation, 1984-1986.
Member special commission on space technical National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronaut. Society; member Air Force Association (board directors 1958-1959), Burning Tree Club, Congressional Country Club. M C.
Married Dolores Barnes, January 19, 1943 (deceased September 1997). Children: Susan, David Barnes, Anne.