Jim was a unique man with a quiet presence. He preferred to keep to himself, but those who spent time with him knew him as a hardworking man. He spent more than 30 years in the air conditioning and heating business, helping people stay comfortable in their homes. Later, he enjoyed teaching HVAC at Ayers College, where he proudly passed his skills on to younger students. Before his career began, Jim served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot mechanic, an experience that shaped him and deepened his interest in military history.
Jim loved the simple pleasures of life. Trips to Vicksburg were always special to him, where he could walk the battlefields and soak in the history. He enjoyed hunting, searching for Civil War relics, and learning everything he could about the past.
Jim is survived by his children, Chris Moellenkamp and April Moellenkamp; his nieces, Evalyn Bean (Carl) and Rachel Linebach (Keith); his grandsons, Ryan Moellenkamp (Leslie), Cody Moellenkamp (Emma), and Kyle Moellenkamp (Amy); his granddaughters, Autumn Estes (Taylor) and Lexie Stanley (Bryan); and his great-grandchildren, Jackson Estes and Ivey Moellenkamp.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Garland Moellenkamp; his parents, Samuel and Iowana Thornton Moellenkamp; his son, Matthew Moellenkamp; and his sister, Jeanne Allen.
A visitation will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Kinkade Room, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA, on December 5, 2025, from 9:30–10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow at 10:00 a.m.
