James Allen Moore was born to Glenn and Audra Moore on November 26, 1938. He grew up in Gainesville, Texas with his younger brother, Glenn, as well as cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. He graduated from Gainesville High School and went on to receive his Bachelors of Music Education from East Texas Baptist College (ETBU) and his Masters of Music from North Texas State University (UNT). It was there he met Patsy Owens, whom he married on October 12, 1963. They began their life together at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served four years active duty in the United States Army.
Jim and Pat Moore built their life together in service to others in schools, churches and the community. Wherever you heard music being made, they were there! He believed in making a “joyful noise” and could be found (and heard) singing anywhere and everywhere ~ even the aisles of the nearest grocery store. He was especially proud of creating the elite group “Singers in Public”. Criteria ~ break out into song in a public place!
The music career of Jim Moore spanned over 50 years with choral teaching experiences in junior high, high school, university, community and professional organizations. He began his first choral directing experience as a high school student leader of his school’s glee club and seventeen-year old director of music in a Gainesville Baptist church.
He was Director of Choral Activities at East Texas Baptist University at his retirement and served as the choral director of Irving High School for multiple years. He was the founding director of the Irving Chorale and served as Minister of Music in numerous churches every year of his life from the age of 17 to his retirement at the age of 74. Jim’s choirs performed at conventions for TMEA, TCDA, the Texas Association of Music Schools, the Music Educators National Conference, the ACDA Southwestern Division Convention and the National ACDA Convention. He conducted choirs on tours to Canada, England, Central Europe, Spain, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China as well as presented choral worships and lectures in Brazil, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong and China.
Jim’s professional achievements were numerous. They included two terms as Vice-President of the Texas Choral Directors Association, Vocal Division Chair and President of the Texas Music Educators Association, President of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Southwestern Division President of the American Choral Directors Association and National President of ACDA. He also served on the Board of Directors for the International Federation for Choral Music. Jim was presented the prestigious Texas Choirmaster Award by the Texas Choral Directors Association for unparalleled leadership in the choral field and was the recipient of the East Texas Baptist University Alumni Association J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award.
Jim’s life and loves were family and music. He delighted in time with his children and grandchildren and considered his role as ‘Pops’ to be his most important. Jim lived his Christian faith every moment of every day. His life touched countless others through making music and serving others. He truly believed that God gave everyone a voice to sing. He considered it an honor to be a part of those experiences.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Audra Moore.
Jim is survived by his wife, Pat Moore of Farmers Branch, TX; daughters, Kelly Pfaffenberger and husband John of Farmers Branch, TX, Kerri Hoang and husband, Scott of Coppell, TX; by grandchildren Isaiah Hoang and Madison, Ian and Reagan Pfaffenberger; by his brother Glenn Moore and wife Darlene; and by a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and treasured friends.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations in memory of Jimmy to the American Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
A private family graveside service for Jimmy will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at DFW National Cemetery. The family will hold a celebration of life service at a later date for friends and family.
Jim’s legacy lives on through his family, his music, and the countless lives he touched with his grace. Blessings to you all as you walk this difficult journey. Much love from Robin and Dave Nichols.
Dearest brother James,
Recently I performed the pice “Dona nobis pacem” that you arranged. I did it with Cheonan professional choir in Korea and came back to States. I am dedicating this to you, my mentor and big brother in Christ. Sleep in His hands until we meet again. Here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/5AkZkoIWJf8
I take a bit of Jim Moore with me every time I step in front of a choir to direct. I will always remember singing the glorious music he chose for us and great choir family he was the head of at Irving High School. He was so special. Thoughts and love to all his family.
I have been in Irving Chorale for 28 years but those under Jim were my most favorite moments. He was a very special man. So glad that several of us got to go sing for him a few years ago in Bonham okay. It was great seeing him and listening to him sing along with us.
Thank you,Love you Jim and will miss you, May God Bless all the Moore family !
Love you Dad, tell everyone we said Howdy Yall!
Love and prayers for the days ahead. Mom says she sends her love and prayers. We will all miss and cherish Mr.Moore.
He took a chance on a young boy who never had formal training. I have cherished the year I had. A great Christian man.
I am grateful to Jim for his support of my daughter Jenae at ETBU. He excelled in all aspects of his life. Wonderful husband, father, grandfather, musician, teacher, servant to Choral music education. His legacy will live in in everyone he touched.
I loved Mr. Moore so much! Thanking the Lord for how He used him in my life and ministry. Praying for you all!
I can honestly say that Mr. James Moore had the biggest impact on my life of any teacher I ever had, in public school and in college. Rest in peace sir, and my sincerest condolences to you Mrs. Moore, and to you Kelly and Kerri and your families.
I, we, ALL owe so much to our beloved Mr. Moore. Forever in our hearts and minds. He influenced everyone in his own special way and we r all blessed for having known, and learned, so much from him. Thank you to his family for your willingness to share him with all of us. And thank you for your thoughtfulness keeping us up to date in these later times. It means so much that you did this, for we all loved him. And, we love you, too! ❤ Praying for you as you face your future journey without him for a while, until you meet again. What an exciting and glorious time that will be!
What a great man. His legacy will live on through hundreds of his students, spiritual brothers & sisters, family and friends. I am a proud “SIP” member, and owe so much to Mr. Moore. I am sure he’ll be designated a co-director (at least) of a heavenly choir!
Mr. Moore was a profound influence in my life in music, Christian leadership and faithfulness to all he served with such humbleness and tender strength. He was fearful yet kind in choir rehearsals (except when he caught me talking when no one else was – I remember his firm, direct voice saying to me, “Mr. Dowell, do you have something important to say?! I’ll wait.” I was President of A Cappella Choir – but everyone stood on equal ground!). We were always confident he had everything under control, but he gave a lot of that control over to us to carry out and expected as much from us. Remember how we’d change choir formation by leaving one formation making multiple downstage (vertical, sort of) lines across the stage then march back into a new formation completely unrelated to the previous one?!! I have yet to figure out how he made that work, yet it was part of the smooth, confident manner in which he accomplished all the things which had his finger touch of excellence on it! I teach high school Choir and there is rarely a moment that passes when I don’t think, “How would Mr. Moore do / handle this?”!!
I will be forever grateful to James A. Moore for all I learned under his incomparable leadership and conducting. Hold a place for me in your heavenly choir, Mr. Moore!!!
Beautiful tribute . . .
Moore Family – There are SO many memories of my adolescents centered around people in your family. Though most of my time was spent being friends with Kelly in Jr. High and High School, all of you had an impact on my life. Mr. & Mrs. Moore especially as you were so thoughtful in your love, acceptance, and education of your “extra kids”. The ten of us who spent so much time together always thought of you as an extension of our own parents and I am grateful for the safety I always felt in your care. Thank you for loving us and for bringing such great people into this world to be our friends. AND, thank you for the music!
What an amazing man was Jim Moore! Many fond memories of being in his Acappella Choir at Irving High School. I lost my father a couple of years before I was in his choir and at one point, I needed some tough love to push me on; Mr. Moore gave me that Godly push that I needed. I was able to go back years later, while in college, and thank him personally for his commitment to not just make us better musicians but better people as well.
Thank you Jim Moore for being a Godly example to all of us young men! Your life was impactful for God’s Kingdom!
Praying for peace for everyone who knew and loved Jim. His legacy of music will never be forgotten.
God’s peace, comfort and blessings be with you all. So many wonderful memories come flooding back! Fourth of July! San Antonio! Christmas dinners! Birthdays! Choir! You all have been and will remain a precious memory in our hearts. We love you!
Such an amazing man and I learned so much from him! Blessed to be part of Mr. Moore’s choir for 4 years! He taught me so much more than singing. He taught me to laugh, have fun, and to love in all I do. He was always a bright light in my life! Praying for the family and sending love and hugs!
Love and prayers to the family. He was such an inspiration to all he worked with.
I will forever be grateful for his influence in my life! You will always be alive for me sir.
Just remember Mr. Moore at the piano accompanying the Madrigals and he would turn back toward us and you would hear him let out this full voice “YEAH” then he turned back without missing a beat with a smile on his face!!! There is no other like him!!!
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Jim Moore was an inspiration to countless people lucky enough to have known him. He was an extraordinary musician, an incredible teacher, a happy family man, a compassionate Christian, a true gentleman, and a powerful influence for good in this world. May we all follow his example of caring and kindness in our own lives. May his heavenly choir sing forever!
He was a giant among men. I feel so fortunate just to have experienced his grace kindness and unquestionable excellence in the Texas choral world. Prayers for your family. You are blessed beyond measure.
Praise the Lord for His gift of Jim to our world! Praying for you all at this hard time, but so thankful to have crossed Jim’s path.
No educator has influenced my life & career as much as Jim Moore. Mr. Moore taught, even demanded excellence. He insisted on punctuality. He was the consummate educator. I’ve encountered no other person that understood music & high school kids like Jim Moore. Mr. Moore will be missed. He made heaven a better place…That’s for certain.
Mr. Moore was an amazing music teacher. He knew how to teach anyone to sing, even me. I wasn’t great by any means but I learned to sing with confidence. God truly blessed him and the students he taught.
Jim Moore inspired me as a young student teacher at Irving High School.
I continue to be amazed with the Pat, Kelly and Carrie, and the Christian Family Legacy. Thank you to Jim for being a great mentor, sharing his gift of music with so many of us throughout our lives. My love and sympathy to all of you. Love, Sharon Gross and Bob Gross
I will always remember the Irving Chorale and all we learned with Mr. Moore. Thank you! Rest in heavenly peace.
Mr. Moore was an awesome teacher. I attended IHS and was in the girls choir. He was truly a blessing. I am sorry for your loss. The choirs in heaven have wonderful man to lead them.
People come and go in your life. Some are memorable and some not. Some bless your life and some don’t. Jim Moore blessed my life and will be remembered by me and my family all of our lives. We had the honor or singing in Jim’s choir at First Baptist Church Irving and my wife and I were in the very first Irving Chorale. I think one of the high points of my memories was the standing ovation the Chorale received after singing a 45 minute concert at the TCDA convention in San Antonio. What a tough audience. 🙂 I remember when I got ‘volunteered’ for a solo in a Christmas concert and shared with Jim that I was very nervous about doing it. He put everything in perspective when he said “You should never be nervous about singing to God in front of people who already love you.” That has stuck with me for a long, long time.
Jim Moore was the best choral technician I ever worked with. He was also the ultimate Christian gentleman. I look forward to spending zillions of years singing with him in the Heavenly choir.
We will miss your heart-felt and funny posts about your dad, Kerri. Our hearts hurt with you and your precious family who loved him so well. His legacy lives on in the sweet singing of children at The Sloan School who’ve been taught and inspired by the love of music you and your mom have poured out so generously.
I still miss this man. I had the honor of singing in the ETBU choir under his direction. Every rehearsal was a worship experience
I was one of two freshmen that made the ACAPELLA CHOIR at Irving High School in 1970. Mr. Moore was a great Christian, and a wonderful choir director who taught me the beauty of singing, and how one who had been blessed by God, needed to use their talents as a ministry unto the Lord. I always looked forward to going into his class and spending time with my fellow students, learning the artistic greatness that he instilled in all of us! Thank you Mr. Moore, for demonstrating the walk of Jesus before us, and for giving us the many years of happiness and joy, that your teaching and directing gave all of us.