Judith Moore Bird

Judy Moore Bird went home to be with her Lord on Friday, 28th, 2025. Judith Lee Kamleiter was born on February 29, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio to William F. Kamleiter and Evelyn Kamleiter and grew up in Cincinnati; she was a favorite classmate at Hughes High School there. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she will be dearly missed and her memory ever cherished by her family. She was a gifted musical artist and performer, known in the Dallas area as a premiere society pianist who shared “life” with three generations of Dallas families. Her melodic piano arrangements were unique and provided the ambiance for many high-profile weddings, confirmations, birthdays, anniversaries and funerals. She found great joy in sharing the old songs with the elderly at retirement and nursing homes. Faith, Family and Freedom were precious to her, and her musical life was dedicated to preserving each, as gifts from God.

Judy began piano lessons at age four; by age thirteen, she studied privately at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, presented recitals at the prestigious Taft Museum and studied pipe organ with Henry S. Humphreys (composer and music critic for the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper), which started her own improvisational style of playing and inspired her to begin composing on her own. Judy was a church organist by age fifteen and under the direction of Thor Johnson, became a featured soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at sixteen years of age. One year later, she was flown to Hollywood for a special appearance on the Lawrence Welk television show. Her incredible piano technique was the result of combining her classical music studies with her love of jazz. During high school summer vacations, she entertained people on Ohio River steamboat excursions and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Judy married Carey E. Moore in 1959 and began a family in Columbus, Ohio. In 1964, she moved her family to Dallas, Texas, where she began performing at country clubs and corporate events. After divorce in 1971, Judy supported her family as a featured pianist at major hotels, including The Statler Hilton and The Anatole. Her choral anthem, “Stand Up! You’re an American!” was the theme of many patriotic programs and performed for the President. Judy’s patriotic and Christian music earned her national recognition including awards from the Freedom Foundation and Religious Heritage of America. While attending First Baptist Church of Dallas, Judy and her sons found Jesus Christ and were baptized by Dr. W.A. Criswell. In 1978, she and Jack Edward Bird were married and blended their families and enjoyed 41 years together until Jack’s passing in 2019. Judy’s entertainment agency, JM Productions, Inc. provided musicians and performers for many events throughout the city and published her music and lyrics. The Judy Moore Trio was the entertainment featured for decades at the Brook Hollow Golf Club, the Dallas Petroleum Club, the Northwood Club and many others. Judy volunteered her talents for fund raising events with the Dallas Symphony as well as local museums, hospitals and children’s charities.

She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Dallas; The Presidents’ Class; Music Study Club of Dallas; Park Cities Republican Women; Dallas Symphony Orchestra League; Dallas Museum of Art; Association of Wedding Professionals; Les Femmes du Monde and a charter guild member of the Museum of Biblical Arts.

Judy’s brother, Paul Kamleiter, proceeded her in death in 2022. Survivors include children: Carey Lee Moore; Michael Moore; Steven Moore; Susan Bird Money, Frank; Ross Bird, Kay; Grandchildren: Meredith Moore Aldriedge; Jordan Moore Hogman; Lilly, Hannah and Steven A. Moore; Rebecca Pugh; Sarah Nichols; Carolyn Bird; Michael and Christopher Charles; and many great grandchildren.

A worship service and celebration of Judy’s life will be held on Friday, January 16th, 2026 at 1:30pm at the Truett Chapel; at First Baptist Church, 1707 San Jacinto St., Dallas, Texas. After the reception, a private family burial will take place at Sparkman-Hillcrest in Dallas. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church Dallas..