Julius C Moore

Also known as JC, Brother Moore, Deacon Moore (even though he was never a deacon), Pawpaw, Poppy, Grandfather, Uncle Julius, Pops, Dad & Daddy was born to the union of Eugene and Mattie Edwards-Moore on March 18th, 1928, in the small town of Unity, Illinois. Julius was the 2nd oldest of 11 children.

At the age of 16, Julius moved to Portland to be with his older brother Thomas (TJ) and aunt Louise Hudson also known as Ainee and her family. Even as a young man he was a hard worker and always held more than one job at a time.

Julius later united with Guiles Lake Baptist church in Vanport where his brother Thomas was attending. He met Deacon Herman Jones and his wife Jenny Jones, the parents of Lawrence who was his first love. They dated for a short while and later went separate ways.

Julius met and married Emma Caine and to this union there were 3 children.

Julius later served two tours of duty in the US Army. After returning from serving his country, he was reunited with his first love Viola with the help of his brother Thomas (TJ). This union merged the two families. They spent the next 57 years together, only separated by her passing in 2012.

While on the West coast, Julius also lived in Los Angeles, CA, Pasco, WA, and Coos Bay, OR, but he always returned to Portland.

Julius was very pleased to be counted as one of the first 50 African-American men to become a longshoreman in the Portland area in the mid 1960's. He later became a truck driver for Jones Stevedore (still a part of the longshoremen). His 2nd job was driving a school bus for the Portland Public School District. After retiring as a longshoreman in 1991, he became a full-time school bus driver for special needs children which became a great passion for him. He retired from driving school bus in 2000 after having his first stroke (on the job). He really missed the children.

Known as “JC” in the community, he spent a lot of time as one of the lead security for the Black United Front where he had the great opportunity of spending time with Rev. Jesse Jackson.

He also took great pride in being one of the first African-American reserve police officers for the city of Portland in the early 1960's. There he was able to assist the Portland Police Bureau during community activities. (He just wanted to be able to carry a gun legally) and if you knew him he always had one in his pocket.

As a 33rd degree mason with the Most Worshipful St. Joseph's Grand Lodge AF - AM he held many positions. He was the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Patron for the Rose of Sharon Order of Eastern Stars chapter 2001, he was the organizer and Grand Master for the juvenile tent. Being a Mason was an honor for him because he was able to work beside one of his mentors, his father in law Deacon Herman Jones.

Julius enjoyed just getting out. Every chance he had (when he wasn’t working) he would get the children together and say “It's time for a ride". He would fill up the tank, stop at the store and get "Coca Cola and some pork rinds (skins) for everybody in the car". He would drive for hours. There isn’t a place in Oregon that he wouldn't explore. His favorite place to go was the Columbia Gorge area and to stop at Crown Point. He would always share how beautiful he thought the area was. During his weekend trips he would take the drive to Canada to Victoria British Columbia (before you needed a passport) where he loved taking his grandchildren.

Some of the great adventures he and the family shared were attending the Pendleton round up, St. Paul rodeo, Mt. Angel Octoberfest, Woodburn drag races and Races at the Portland International raceway.

Julius loved his family and he loved to travel. And looked forward to the long road trips home to the Chicago area where he would travel to Unity, Mounds City, Cairo, and Hodges Park - the areas where he grew up. He loved telling his children about the one-room school house that they all attended that was located right next to the new house his parents moved into.

Julius loved to garden, bar b-q, enjoyed collecting caps, making the annual family calendar to give to family members for Christmas and he loved his cars. His best friend and mentor, brother Thomas (TJ) and he drove the same kind of car, had their house's painted the same color, placed fences around their homes at the same time and lived 2 blocks away from each other addresses were close to being the same, sometimes they even dressed alike . They were inseparable.

Julius was a faithful member of Guiles Lake Baptist church which later became Mt. Sinai Community Baptist Church (now known as Genesis Community Fellowship). He served as an usher at Mt. Sinai under the late Pastors Monroe Cheeks, Pastor Leonard Ranson, and Pastor Emanuel Warren. Genesis is currently pastored by Donald Frazier. Julius served until his health did not allow him to attend alone. He held duel memberships at Genesis and Greater Mt. Gillard where his son-in-law Carland Allen is the pastor.

The last 4 years he spent lots of time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren & great - great-grandchildren. In March, he celebrated his 88th birthday and had a great time with family and friends.

Julius became ill after suffering 2 strokes in July which hospitalized him. After spending 38 long days in the hospital it was time for him to return to his home. After being home for approximately 12 hours, he went home to be with the Lord, his parents, his siblings, his children and the love of his life Vi.

Julius's legacy will be remembered by his siblings - Betty Nelson of California, Phineaus Moore, Lottie McClure, Oscar Moore and Ronnie Moore all of the Chicago, Illinois area; sister-in-law Georgia Payton of Sacramento, CA; his children, Robert Lawrence (Maureen), Jerry Lawrence, Julius Jr/Jahid Moore, Ruby Johnson (William), Barbara Bell, Oscar Casey, Calvin Lowery, Lolita Casey, and Rená Allen (Carland); special sons - Jodie Harris & Julius Hurst; special daughter - Wanda Beavers; 41 Grandchildren,; 64 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. What a Blessing!!

He is preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Mattie Moore; siblings - Eugene Moore Jr, Mary Green, Clovine Kent, Helen Dunnigan, Thomas Moore (TJ); and a nephew that was raised as a brother, Ezel Moore; children - Charlotte Moore, Johnny Moore and Charles (Ed) Lawrence; and grandchildren Andrew Lawrence and Carland Allen Jr (Duker); and the love of his life Viola (Vi) Moore.

A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, August 30th, 2016, at 11am, at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97227.

Public Visitation will take place at 10am prior to the service at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church.

Public visitation will also be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home from 12 noon to 5pm on Monday, August 29th, 2016.

Julius will be laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Devotion.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611

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