James Hayden Moore, Jr., 98, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 9, 2013. Born November 10, 1914, to James Hayden and Eleanor Rouse Moore in Corpus Christi, Texas, he grew up in Midlothian and Dallas, Texas. He was a graduate of East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas, where he met his wife of 60 plus years, Margaret Ann Hodges. Following his college graduation, Hayden served in the US Army during World War II.
After his military service in 1946, Hayden and Margaret moved to Beaumont, Texas, and raised three children. He continued in public service with the Social Security Administration, a career which began early in the program's history and spanned over 30 years. Margaret taught high school math at French High school until her retirement in the mid-seventies. In retirement, Hayden and Margaret travelled extensively and enjoyed family, gardening, golf, bridge, and reading. Margaret Moore passed away in 2001.
Hayden is survived by his three children: Mary Katherine "Kak" Suhm of Dallas, Texas; Martha Lee Moore of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Cliff McCoy Moore and his wife, Gail, of Beaumont, Texas. Other survivors included his grandchildren, Robert Gabriel Tod and his wife, Victoria, of Newtown, Connecticut; Joshua Alton Tod and his wife, Valerie, of Dripping Springs, Texas; Buck McCoy Moore and Lee Anthony Moore, both of Beaumont, Texas; and Julia Ann Soniat and her husband, Michael, of Dallas, Texas. There are additionally four great-grandchildren: Collin Theodore Tod and Jared Powell Tod of Newtown, Connecticut: and Emma Giselle Tod and Eli Anson Tod of Dripping Springs, Texas; and numerous caring nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mr. Moore will be at 3:00 p.m., with a gathering of his family and friends to follow Saturday, January 12, 2013, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
A longtime member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Hayden was regularly in attendance at services until his death. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St Andrews Meals on Wheels, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706 are encouraged.
