Arthur Jewel Moore

Arthur Jewel Moore Jr., 98, passed away peacefully on April 16th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after bravely battling a massive stroke. Known affectionately as Art, AJ, and Daddy Art, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, service, and love.

Born on Christmas Day in 1925 to Ethel and Arthur Moore of Aransas Pass, Texas, Art spent his early years moving with his family before settling in Waterproof, Louisiana, where he graduated high school. His sense of duty led him to enlist in the US Army during World War II and in December 1944, he crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary enroute to fight in France, Belgium, and Germany during the Battle of the Bulge, contributing to the Allied victory in Europe. Of all his memories of the war, the one he recounted the most was how cold it was. Art returned to the US as a decorated soldier in the 115th Infantry 29th Division.

Following his military service, Art applied his dedication and work ethic to the American steel industry working for Republic Steel, Colorado Fuel & Iron, Jessop Steel, and Mills Wolf. During that time Art built expertise and dedication to quality and excellent service, along with a strong commitment to his customers. Recognizing a need for a company built on these values, Art envisioned and founded American Alloy Steel (AAS) in 1971. Under his leadership, AAS became a leader in specialty steel distribution, known for its commitment to quality and customer service.

For 53 years AAS established itself as a leader in specialty steel distribution and was the first service center to stock Pressure Vessel Quality (PVQ) carbon and alloy steel plate. In placing the customer’s needs first coupled with a consistent quality product, AAS grew from not more than a dozen employees to over 270 today. Starting from its home office in Houston, AAS now has 6 stocking locations across the United States & Canada totaling over 500,000 sq ft of warehouse space on roughly 50 acres and physical coverage in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.

In a decision to ensure the continued success of the company and its employees, Art and his family agreed to sell AAS in an acquisition with Reliance Steel, which was finalized in April 2024. Art faced this decision with difficulty, as AAS was his true passion, purpose, and legacy. He continued to support AAS, its operations and employees and remained an integral consultant up to his last moments. Every person at AAS became his extended family, who he loved and supported as only Art knew how. You could always count on fried chicken provided for the office, every Friday.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Art cherished his family and was a devoted husband to Mary Ellen, with whom he shared a life filled with travel, camping, and fine dining. Married in 1950, the beautiful couple supported each other’s dreams, hobbies and interests with hard work, style, and grace. Together, they raised four children and created life-long memories at their farm, cabin and in their home in Houston, Texas where Art remained until his final days.

Art enjoyed simple things in life like playing bridge with his sister Barbara to indulging in his love for old western movies and Louisiana cuisine. He found happiness feeding his beloved squirrels and birds and watching sunsets from his back patio at his farm in Center Point, TX. You could find him playing golf at Pine Forest Country Club, eating lobster bisque at the original Brenner’s or on his tractor at the farm, exemplifying his nature as a Renaissance man. He had a great love for books, history, news, weather and conversations about football and golf. Art always prioritized his physical health and was known for jump roping, riding his bike and swimming in his pool. Animals and his connection to nature brought him peace, comfort, and companionship during his life, including all his farm cats, longhorn, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and dogs and his beloved babies at home. If you were ever his guest, you knew that vodka toddies were promptly and generously served at his pleasure. His zest for life, his laughter and joyful expression, were infectious and will be remembered in the stories that remain.

A pillar of generosity and community service, Art supported numerous charitable organizations: Human Society, the Cherokee Nation, ASPCA, Ducks Unlimited, Spina Bifida Association, American Cancer Society, Texas Children Hospital, The Big Fix, Volunteer Service Scholarship Fund of Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, the 100 Club, Boys Scouts of America, Houston Police Department, to name a few. Art and AAS always sponsored family and friend sports teams and was the first to help those in need, as he never considered his abundance only for him. Consistently, his favorite was supporting the local Girl Scouts Troops by buying “a few” boxes of cookies every year!

As a wartime veteran, he was a patriotic member donor of several WWII organizations and associations, including the American Legion, VFW, Battle of the Bulge Association and National World War II Museum in New Orleans, of which he enjoyed touring with his family. Twice he traveled back to Germany and France for D-Day anniversaries and was an invited guest to the opening of the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

Through the good times and bad, Art showed us how to live life with no worries as he was heard saying, “I don’t let things bother me in good times and in bad. I take things for what they’re worth and make the best of it.” This perspective of life contributed, no doubt, to the confidence in his ability to serve his country, family, friends, strangers, animals, and countless others. God worked through him.

He is preceded in death by his father Arthur Sr., mother Ethel, brother Jack, son John Arthur and his beautiful wife Mary Ellen. Left on earth to carry on his legacy are his immediate family: his sister Barbara Schwartz (Bob) of Estes Park, Co, his children: daughter Kathleen Covey (Bob) of Houston, TX, son James Patrick of Houston, TX and daughter Barbie Moore Opperman (Chuck) of Houston, TX, his niece Cathy Schwarz (Phil) of Littleton, CO and nephew Doug Schwartz (Julie) of Austin, TX. He also leaves 12 grandchildren: Michele (Rob), David (Lee), Jeni, Michael (Sarah), Kristin, Jaime, Elizabeth (John), James (Cathy), Megan (Fabian), AJ, Patrick and Charlie (Julie) and great niece and nephew Wendy and Joe. Daddy Art was increasingly blessed with 14 great-grandchildren and 1 more anticipated this spring.

Art's family extends heartfelt gratitude to his loyal and dedicated extended family Steve Kibling, Arnold Lipp, Gary Miller and the team at Boyer Miller. The family is also appreciative to all of his caregivers, Irma, Olu, and the staff of Apex Caregivers Home Care, who provided him with compassionate care and companionship in his final years.

Friends and family are invited to honor Art's life during viewing services from 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday, April 25th, 2024, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, April 26th, 2024, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, Houston, TX 77024, with the Rite of Committal immediately following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. The family will be hosting a reception at Memorial Oaks after the burial to celebrate Art’s remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to organizations close to Art's heart, such as the Spina Bifida Houston Gulf Coast & Camp That Love Built (https://sbhgc.org/) or your local animal shelter and rescue.