James C. Moore Jr

Born and raised in Plant City to James “Dinty” Moore Sr. and Ruby (Weldon) Moore on September 3rd, 1934. Young “Jimmy” enjoyed staging magic shows in the basement of the family home for his favorite audience, his mother and his big sister, Ruby Jean, and throughout life he continued to delight his friends and family with prestidigitation and sleight of hand.

He attended Plant City High School with many lifelong friends he thought of as family. An outstanding athlete, he competed in track and field, played football all four years, and was a proud member of the Planters’ 1950 and 1951 back-to-back South Florida Conference Championship Football Team. A talented singer, he often sang ballads at the request of his teammates. Graduating in 1953, his accomplishments included Student Council President, Lettermens Club, and National Honor Society. He loved his hometown and the friends he made there and in later years visited often.

He attended Florida State University, competing in intramural sports and joining Phi Delta Theta, serving as a fraternity officer during his undergraduate years. He earned his BS in 1957 while finishing a two-year enlistment in the Army and then began a six year stint with Travelers Insurance Company in Norfolk, VA. It was during this time, in 1963, he met and married the love of his life, Ruby Vanderpoorten. For their honeymoon he purchased a guitar and he began his life-long serenade to her.

Together with two small children they returned to Tallahassee and Florida State University where he completed his MS and PhD. He joined the faculty in 1968 and found his true vocation as an educator. He began his teaching career in a turbulent and revolutionary era and, early on, felt it was important to deal with his students as human beings, offering guidance, compassion, and open communication.

To broaden his family’s horizons Jim accepted a three-year teaching contract at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. He and Ruby spent many hours walking desert trails and watching their children thrive in the great outdoors.

In 1976 they returned to Tallahassee and he returned to the faculty of Florida State University. He garnered many awards and accolades but what mattered most were those given to him by his students, and there were many. A gifted educator, his influence lives on in the accomplishments of his former students.

His love for his family and their love in return cannot be overstated. When asked of what he was most proud, his answer was always his family. They will especially miss his guidance, his gentle wit, and the sound of his voice and guitar lulling them to sleep on warm summer nights.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruby (Vanderpoorten) Moore; his son, Eugene Franklin Moore and wife Cindy (Synder) Moore; daughter Vivian (Moore) MacKinnon and husband Aleck MacKinnon; Grandchildren Melinda Kristen and Robert Alexander Moore; Nephews Bill and Clay Phillips, many special friends from both Plant City and Tallahassee FL; best friend, guitar and banjo picking partner, and fellow Seminole fan, Lloyd Price.

A private family service was held at his home for the past 35 years in Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, FL or the charity of your choice.