James Joseph Moulton

He was well known in the Knoxville special needs community and graduated in 2019 at Bearden High School. He attended Heart and Soul Church. He pursued life to the fullest and was active with the Tennessee Special Olympics in swimming. He was also a member of the Bearden High School swim team. He loved hiking in the Smoky Mountains with his family, and reached the peaks of Mt Cammerer and Mt LeConte. He was a voracious reader, and could always be found with a book in hand. He loved to sing, was a lover of all things musical, and was an enthusiastic dancer. He loved attending concerts, including the Knoxville Opera, the Knoxville Choral Society, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He loved musicals, especially seeing shows such as Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera, and was looking forward to an upcoming trip to New York City to see The Lion King.

James was the most wonderful son and a shining example of humanity. He never knew a stranger, and showed kindness to everyone he met. He loved life and lived it fully, without hesitation or fear. A champion swimmer, James excelled in the 200-meter freestyle and competed with Special Olympics Tennessee. James once said, "I love it here because I can swim freestyle and breaststroke and see my friends at swimming. And I get to have fun, too." He loved his swim community. His active participation and engagement was an essential part of the swim community, and his energy was always infectious. This zest for life showed in all aspects of James’ life, from his work at the City County Building in Knoxville, to his weekly swim practices at the local YMCA, to summer camps at Camp Lookout. Wherever James went, he made new friends, and everyone who met him will remember his exuberance, kindness and enthusiasm for life.

James is preceded in death by his mother, Laurie Moulton, grandparents James and Barbara Moulton, cousin Lara Adler and aunt, Roseann Huffaker. He is survived by his father and step mother, Steven and Nancy Moulton, his brother Benjamin Rogers (Beatrice Partain), aunts Alice Arnett and Lucy Shadle (Jim), and cousins Allison (Omar) Borji, Thomas Shadle, Rita (TJ) Shadle-Schoonover and special friend, Delia Briceno, and so many others who were dear to him.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 28, 2024 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. A Celebration of James's life will begin at 7:30 PM with Rev. Austin Coleman officiating. Family and friends will meet Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10:00 AM at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery, 118 Henderson Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 for an Interment Service.

As we celebrate the life of James we acknowledge his love of balloons. After all, "Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon," (A.A. Milne). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you bring a helium balloon to fill the chapel with one of his favorite things. In order to say goodbye to such a lovely man, we want to honor him and fill our hearts with what brought him so much joy.

Donations may be made to Knoxville Special Olympics at https://www.specialolympicstn.org/east-tennessee/greater-knoxville-area-5

James will be sorely missed and this hole in our hearts will never be filled by another. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Moulton family at www.berryfuneralhome.com