James Ray Moore was born on January 29, 1937 in Delta County to John and Louise Moore.
He was raised on a cotton farm in Fairlie, Texas, working and playing with his older brother,
Jerrold.
James attended Commerce High and went to work for Mr. Larry Booker at his Super Handy
store. He attended East Texas State University in Commerce, TX and was a member of the
Artema social club. It was there that he met his wife of 65 years, Molly Mitchell. They were
married Thanksgiving day on November 27, 1958 at the First Methodist Church in Sulphur
Springs, where they remain members. A year later they had their first daughter, Melony.
After boot camp in the Army, James went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace
Manufacturing Corporation as an Engineer. He moved the family to St. Louis, MO to work on a
special project for the company. A pilot himself, he helped build airplanes including the F4
Phantom II Jet and the Gemini Space Capsule. In 1963 while in St. Louis, their second
daughter, Terry, was born.
In 1969 after returning to East Texas, James began architectural design and construction with
his friend, Joe Ardis. He built homes throughout the 70’s, and then developed much of Mount
Pleasant and Sulphur Springs through residential housing and subdivisions, and apartment
buildings. He later built assisted living facilities. His partners in these business ventures were
also great friends – more like family.
In 1982, James became a grandfather – he was proudly referred to as “Daddoo” (nicknamed
‘Doo-dad’ by his friends) by his five granddaughters, one grandson, and ten greatgrandchildren.
James had many hobbies; he was a golfer, a fisherman, and a bird hunter. He loved to train and
adored his hunting dogs. He and Molly were also avid water/alpine skiers. James loved to play
golf. He and Molly were members and residents of the Sulphur Springs Country Club. He spent
many days of his last years on the coast fishing on his boat “The Other Woman.”
He had a quick wit and was a great friend to many. His smile and laugh were infectious. He was
a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed.
James was preceded in death by his parents, John and Louise Moore, brother, Jerrold Moore,
and great-granddaughter Harper Howard.
James is survived by his wife Molly Moore, daughter Melony Pennington and husband Tony
Pennington, daughter Terry Morris and husband Brad Morris, granddaughters Penny Howard
and husband Dustin Howard, Holly Ragan and husband Tanner Ragan, Jennifer Heitman and
husband Cole Heitman, Ryan Rackley, Briana Pennington, and grandson Cameron Morris.
Great-grandchildren Reese, Ramsey, and Ryan Ragan, Henry and Max Heitman, Lily and Seth
Howard, and Kennedy and Knox Rackley.
Funeral arrangements have been arranged through West Oaks Funeral Home in Sulphur
Springs. Services for James Moore will be Friday, May 31, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30am,
funeral at 11am, followed by burial service at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brad Morris, Tony Pennington, Cameron Morris, Tanner Ragan, Cole
Heitman, and Dustin Howard. Honorary Pallbearers include: John Kenny Smith, Bill Gant, Brent
Chaney, Ricky Conway, Gary Duncan, Bryan Burney, Larry Barnes, Dr. Dhawal Ram, Eddie
Jones, Chad Cable, Frank Long, David Graves, Turk Morgan, and Tony Hughes.
In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs,
in memory of James R. Moore.
