James Lunsford Moore, 95, passed away Friday July 13, 2018 at his home in Fort Smith. He was born in Greenwood, Arkansas on October 16, 1922 to the late Claude R Moore and Frances Gant Moore. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the Army Air Force. He joined the Army Air Force in 1942 at the age of 19. He completed 75 bombing missions as a B-25 pilot with the 12th Bomb Group of the 10th Air Force in the China Burma India theatre.
He received a Unit Citation, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three Battle Stars.
He was one of the original thirteen pilots in the 184th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Fort Smith. He retired from the squadron in 1962 when the unit became the 188th. He was the last survivor of the original 13 pilots.
His lifelong passion was flying airplanes which led to flying as a corporate pilot for S.E. Evans Construction Company and later as a corporate pilot for Arkansas Best Corporation. He retired in 1985 as chief pilot for Arkansas Best.
He is survived by his daughter, Becky Blaylock and husband Benny of West Monroe, Louisiana; granddaughter, Laura Blaylock of Tucson, Arizona; grandson, David Case of Tallahassee, Florida; two step-daughters, Melody Martin of Fort Smith and Donna Lee White and husband Gene of Van Buren; and step-son, Anthony (Tony) Martin and wife Kathryn (Kat) of Fort Smith. He is also survived by his special four-legged companion, Liner.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara; his second wife, Mary Lee; and his daughter, Kathy Case.
Visitation will be at Edwards Funeral Home Tuesday, July 17 from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Graveside service will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 18 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith with full military honors, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
