Jimmy Lane Moore

The Moore family mourns the loss of their beloved dad, granddad, father-in-law, brother, and uncle, Jim L. Moore who passed away with his sons by his side on Monday, November 18, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the youngest born to the late Thomas Bryce Moore and Otha Harte Moore on March 13, 1937. In addition, he was preceded in death by his brother Tom and sister-in-law Jean. 

As a Kannapolis native, Jim spent his early childhood attending local schools where he participated in band and football. His high school participation in football was the origin of what developed into a life-long interest in the sport. Jim continued his education at Pfeiffer College where in 1959, he earned a BA degree in Business Administration.

Before entering into a business career, Jim followed his interest in dramatic arts by spending a summer in New York City and later in Boone, NC where he portrayed John Severe in the western North Carolina outdoor drama "Horn in the West". 

He then enlisted in his local National Guard unit and secured his first employment as a bank teller with the Scottish Bank in China Grove, which later became First Union National Bank of North Carolina. He made early progress and quickly moved to Raleigh with a management position at First Union downtown. Armed with additional experience and the advice of bank leadership, Jim realized he may have more management opportunities further west of the Raliegh area. He chose the NC Mountains and when a more advanced position opened in Lenior, he made the move. 

In 1975, encouraged and assisted by his father, a skilled carpenter, Jim purchased and renovated a small home behind the 15th green at Cedar Rock Country Club. This home remains today as a legacy of pride enjoyed by his family and friends. His interest in golf attracted him to Cedar Rock Country Club where he became a member. He devoted many years working to add features to the club that would not only enhance the value for existing members, but attract new ones. Some contributions included a new cabana at the pool along with other poolside amenities and exercise equipment in the club’s fitness room. He also contributed a playground area adjacent to the pool. These upgrades proved very popular with the membership. Jim was an active member of the CRCC Board of Directors and was a major stockholder. As an outgoing personality, he welcomed new members and was a faithful advocate of Cedar Rock Country Club.

Jim was also involved in supporting Community Colleges and hospitals, especially in and around the Sylva area where he moved in further pursuit of a greater leadership role within the bank. His proximity to Western Carolina University afforded him many opportunities to the serve the academic and athletic community to which he was so committed. He was a former member and chairman of the WCU Foundation Board of Directors and member of the WCU Board of Trusties. He chaired a 14-member task force charged with examining the Catamount football program in order to make recommendations to ensure long-term improvements. He was a recipient of the WCU distinguished service award and considered a major asset to the University. In addition to the work at the University, Jim continued his professional career until he retired as Executive Director of the bank in Sylva in 1996.

Personally, Jim was one of the most avid travelers one would ever meet. In addition to his yearly trips to Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida where he was also a long-time member, Jim had an ongoing desire to visit all of the attractions and National Parks in the western United States. His early childhood interest in cowboys from the west continued into adulthood and in 1972 he and his brother Tom made a trip to the west taking their mother and father along for the journey. First to Denver, then a more impromptu trip on to Las Vegas, Neveda. He made a similar trip with his sons Brad and Hunter in 1979. This trip was originally intended as a one-time exploration but turned to a grand yearly tradition that often included his brother Tom. This tradition became a highlight of every year and created a special bond between the four of them. The trips later included Hunter's family Jennifer and Brady. These adventures continued even to the very end when Jim and his family completed his last trip west in August, 2024.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Andy Langford. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis. Following the interment there will be a short reception and light refreshments for family and friends at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.

Left to celebrate his life and cherish his memory are his sons Brad (Carolyn), Hunter (Jennifer), grandson Brady, sister Barbara Bost (Marion), nephews Jeff Bost (Kim), Chris Bost, and his family by marriage Shelton Rain (Susan) and niece Anna Hunter (Gerald), including all of the extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Catamount Club or to the Jim Moore & Mallory Hetzel Endowed Golf Scholarship at the Western Carolina University Foundation, 1 University Dr., 201 HF Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723. Online memorials may be made at makeagift.wcu.edu