Charles Hobaugh, the commander of the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that began Monday, is the son of a Noble High School alumnus and former Norman resident.
Jimmy Hobaugh, Charles' father, was a member of the Class of 1953 at Noble High School and his family was prominent in the city for many years, said family friend and classmate Joyce Carle.
"I am just swelling with pride," she said of watching Monday afternoon's launch on television from her home in Noble. "It really hits close to home here. It's been an exciting morning for us.
"We are so proud of Jimmy and his family and honored to bring this recognition to the small town of Noble, Okla."
The commander's mother is Virginia Hobaugh, a former Norman resident. She and Jimmy now live in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
This is Charles Hobaugh's third flight in the shuttle but his first as mission commander. He piloted Atlantis on a mission in July 2001 and flew Endeavour in August 2007.
Hobaugh, 48, was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. He and his wife Corinna have four children, ages 16 to 22.
-- Christian Potts
