James L. Mooney

1934 - 2015

Mooney, James L. TEMECULA -- James L. Mooney died in the early morning hours of May 4, 2015. He was 81 years old. James was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 30, 1934. He moved to Los Angeles with his parents in 1939, and married his high school sweetheart, LaVerne Burke in 1953. He enlisted in the Air Force soon after where he played trumpet in the band. After his enlistment was up, he and LaVerne purchased the home he grew up in ~ in San Gabriel, CA. He worked for the Telephone Company and soon moved with their three children to a new home in Burbank, CA. In his spare time, James played trumpet in various Jazz venues throughout the Los Angeles area, and developed an interest in recording. In 1970, he built a recording studio in Hollywood, CA after purchasing a studio called Sage & Sand, and renaming it Sage & Sound. He spent the next 30 years recording many Jazz artists, and movie scores, and television show theme songs. In 1998, he retired to Temecula, CA where he and his wife enjoyed playing golf and going to yard sales. James will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, LaVerne E. Mooney; his children: Cheryl Torres (Albert), and Donald; grandchildren, Brian Yoder, Shawn Yoder, Elizabeth Torres, Justin Mooney, Kirsten Forjan, and Natalie Torres; and great-grandchildren, Emily Mooney, Kai Yoder, Khian Yoder, Wren Yoder, Logan Forjan, Adrian Forjan, Gabriel Forjan, and Christian Forjan. A memorial service and reception will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15th, at St. Catherine's Church, 41875 C. Street, Temecula, CA.