It's possible you're thinking of Homer Hickam Jr. himself, the author of the book. The book is based on his real-life experiences growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia, and his journey from a coal miner's son to a NASA engineer.
The main characters in "October Sky" are:
* Homer Hickam: The protagonist, a young boy who dreams of becoming a rocket scientist.
* Quentin "Q" Wilson: Homer's best friend and an integral part of the rocket club.
* O'Dell "O.D." Dotson: Another member of the rocket club and Homer's closest confidant.
* Sherman "Sonny" Thompson: A skilled engineer who mentors the rocket club.
* Jim Hickam: Homer's father, a coal miner who initially disapproves of Homer's rocketry pursuits.
* Daisy Hickam: Homer's mother, who supports him and encourages his ambitions.
If you're still unsure about the character you're referring to, please provide more details about their role in the story or any other information you may have.