James William Moore, 81, Harrisonville, MO, died Thursday, January 27, 2011 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 31, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville with visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Freeman Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 38, Freeman, MO 64746.

Jim was born December 19, 1929 in Corinth, Mississippi, a son of Virgil Byrdo and Vera (Smith) Moore He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettie Louise Moore; daughter, Linda Moore Dooley, Lee's Summit, MO; sons, James A. Moore, Wichita Falls, TX and Ralph William Moore, Harrisonville, MO; sisters, Ann Heiman, Senatobia, MS and Vera Rodriguez, Beaumont, TX; brother, Charles Moore, now living in Tennessee; grandchildren, Scott William Moore, Friendswood, TX, Lisa Raye Dooley, Harrisonville, MO, Michael Moore, Wichita Falls, TX and Kevin James Moore, Hagerman, NM, Kelli Sellers of Niceville, FL and Patrick Moore of Santa Marie, CA.

Jim began working at age 14 to help support his family. His first job was working on the railroad as an inspector. He was united in marriage to Bettie Louise Moore on July 15, 1948 in Memphis TN. He joined the Air Force where he enjoyed a 20-year term of service living in Anchorage, AK, El Paso, TX, Bossier City, LA and Bermuda Islands. His final service in the Air Force was in Wichita Falls, TX, stationed at Sheppard AFB where he retired. Jim and Louise moved to Coahoma, MS to live near his mother and sister. While living in Coahoma, Jim began his second career with Mosler Safe Company based out of Memphis. Jim was a Senior Tech for 20 years and continued as a locksmith after he retired. The home in Coahoma was an old 'Plantation Home' which provided Jim with months of remodeling opportunities. Jim built his own scaffolding for the continuous house painting 9 months out of the year. The family, especially the grandchildren, has many fond memories of that home. Jim and Louise moved to Drexel, MO where they enjoyed their eight acres for eight years before finally moving to Harrisonville. Jim Moore was an excellent musician, playing at least 13 instruments, all "by ear". Jim was in several country music bands, playing string bass, guitar and fiddle.