Moore, Jay

Jay W. Moore, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) 89 years old, 767 Cotton Rd, Sanford, NC, died Monday, April 4, 2011, at Parkview Retirement. Col. Moore was born, raised, & educated in western Illinois. He was teaching school in Alpha, Ill. when America entered WWII. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp & was a pilot flying combat in WWII in the South Pacific. After WWII he finished college at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. & was coaching & teaching in Williamsfield, Ill., when recalled into the USAF for the Korean conflict. Col. Moore stayed in the service in a variety of positions—nuclear weapons officer, instructor nuclear weapons, aircraft commander Strategic Air Command, Squadron Commander, DCM in Strategic Air Command & service in Vietnam. Col Moore retired from the USAF in 1969 & re-entered education teaching science & aeronautics & was athletic trainer/equipment manager at Groveport-Madison High School, Groveport, Ohio. He retired from teaching in 1982 after 24 years. Col. & Mrs. Billie Moore moved from Groveport, Ohio to Sanford, NC in 1992 & Mrs. Moore preceded him in death in 1994. In June, 1996, Col. Moore married Mrs. Molly Watts of Sanford. Col. Moore was a Master Mason for 51 years having been raised in Masonry at A. Lincoln Lodge #518 Kirkwood, Ill, in 1943. Later, he became a member of Groveport #240, Groveport, Ohio, and finally a member of Buffalo #172 in Jonesboro. He was a York Rite Mason being a Companion and Sir Knight of the Knights Templar, Columbus Commandry #69, Columbus, Ohio. He was also a member of the Amran Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Raleigh, NC, Shrine. Jay W. Moore, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) is survived by his wife Molly Watts Moore, daughters Terry L. Monk, Sandra M. Tudor & husband Richard; son Robert J. Moore & wife Senath; 4 grandsons Jason T. Monk & wife Yulia, Andrew J. Leighton & wife Michele, Chris S. Monk & wife Kim, & Brooke J. Leighton; & 6 great grand children; stepdaughter Annadell Pharr & husband Dr. Walter Pharr, stepson Dudley Watts & wife Kathy, and 7 step grand children. Viewing will be Thursday, April 7, 6-8 pm at Miller-Boles Funeral Home; funeral will be Friday, April 8, 2011, 2:00 pm at St. Luke United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Sanford Lions Club, 505 N. 7th St, Sanford, NC 27330 or St. Luke United Methodist Church, 2914 Wicker St, Sanford, NC 27330. Miller-Boles Funeral Home of Sanford is serving the family.