A Heart of Giving chronicles the life of J.D. Oliver—his extraordinary quest for learning, his career in education and the space industry, and the influences and events instrumental to his success. Navigating life as an African American man born in rural Texas in the late '30s, J.D. began pursuing educational opportunities in the late 1950s and continued his quest for knowledge in the mathematics and science arena. He was a respected scientific programmer and data analyst at Lockheed Electronics (Lockheed Martin) at the Johnson Space Center and later, at Singer-Link, became one of the first African Americans to conduct testing of the flight control panel for the F-16 Fighter Jet and simulation work for the Columbia space shuttle. As an associate professor at Prairie View A&M University, he developed a computer science program that became the first in the Texas A&M University System to be accredited by the Computer Science Accrediting Board. Inspired by the giving spirit of loving parents and a dedicated aunt, J.D.— accompanied nearly every step of the way by his twin brother, A.D.—achieved a life of commitment and dedication that helped to create opportunity and a future for many generations to come.
