government
Wally Funk, aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87
By Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87. Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Th...
Key takeaway Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Thursday.
Why this matters in The Odessa
Wally Funk's passing resonates in the Permian Basin, where her trailblazing spirit in aviation would have been an inspiration to the region's own rich history of pioneers in the oil and gas industry. As a community that values perseverance and determination, Odessa residents can appreciate Funk's decades-long pursuit of her dreams, including becoming an astronaut. Her achievement as the oldest woman to travel into space is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, qualities that are deeply ingrained in the West Texas culture. While Funk may not have had direct ties to Odessa, her legacy serves as a reminder of the impact that individuals from Texas can have on a global scale, and her story can motivate local students and professionals to strive for excellence in their own fields, including science, technology, and engineering.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87. Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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