James Dale Moore

James Dale Moore was born on January 9th 1931 to Charles Moore and Sarah Jameson Moore in Seattle WA.

Raised in the Seattle area, Jim attended Ballard High School, where he started dating his future wife Lois Claire Krull. After graduating from Ballard, he attended the University of Washington where he earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1952. While at the university of Washington, Jim and Lois continued to date and eventually married in March of 1952.

After serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he used the GI Bill to continue his education at the University of Southern California – earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1958 – while working full time.

His remarkable and varied career began in 1952 and included design work in oil fields, wind tunnels, high volume manufacturing, toys, consumer products, health products, defense weapons, aerospace and satellite design and development. Blessed with an ever curious and inventive mind, Jim is named on over 40 US and foreign patents. Among his notable career achievements, he made significant contributions to the early generations of Mattel’s Barbie doll, including features such as the twist waist and bendable knee and elbow. He was perhaps most proud of his work developing the axle for the original Hot Wheels cars.

In the aerospace field, Jim had the opportunity to attend numerous space launches and landings while working as a liaison to NASA on the space shuttle program. He assisted in the design of the “manipulator arm” and was distinguished by his unique ability to pinpoint problem areas, verify the problem and develop solutions alone or as part of a larger team. After his retirement in 2010, he was awarded the Medal of Meritorious Service Award from the National Reconnaissance Office for his contributions to the Space System’s Programs. In particular, he was credited with significant contributions to the success of 15 highly valuable intelligence collection satellite systems.

Jim shared his knowledge with graduate students at the University of Southern California where he taught design seminars from Sept 1967 through June 1985. He also was active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) his entire career - serving as the Los Angeles Section Chairman in 1978. While working in the Aerospace industry he was a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Jim Moore also served his community, where he helped form his local homeowner’s association and served on its board of Directors three different times. He helped with the formation of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in 1973 and led the development of Hess Park from conception and initial plan through the city’s acceptance, design and build process. He also served on the Rancho Palos Verdes Traffic Committee for 8 years. A lifetime friend of the Peninsula Library – he was elected to multiple terms as a trustee on the Peninsula Library Board. Jim and Lois were very active in the Peninsula Committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and loved attending music events through the years at the Hollywood Bowl, the Disney Hall and the Norris Theatre.

Jim was a dedicated father and grandparent. He and Lois raised two daughters – Allison Moore and Meredithe Mainquist. As a grandparent, Jim loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting activities and taking them on international with Lois. In 2019, after 63 years in their home in Palos Verdes – Jim and Lois moved to Belmont Village Cardiff by the Sea in order to be closer to Meredithe.

Jim Moore was preceded in death by his wife Lois and leaves his daughters Allison and Meredithe and 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Rolling Hills United Methodist church on November 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Peninsula Friends of the Library, 701 Silver Spur Road #3603, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.encinitaschapel.com for the Moore family.