Rev. Dr. James Wesley Moore

1939 - 2018

Rev. Dr. James Wesley Moore The Rev. Dr. James Wesley Moore, 79, of Stilwell, KS, died Saturday, Aug. 25, of pancreatic cancer. Jim was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Osawatomie, KS, and was raised in Hoisington. He attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, where he met Patricia Elaine Peterson. They were married July 23, 1960. He received his DDS degree from UMKC Dental School in 1964, and in 1966 he completed a residency in children's dentistry at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. In addition to practicing privately, he served at KU Medical Center as part of a team treating children with cleft lip and palate. He also served on a multidisciplinary team with oncologist Dr. Allan Fleming at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, treating children with leukemia and oral infections. After retiring from dentistry, Jim went into business with his brother, Thomas Moore, of Hoisington. The Moore family joined St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in 1990. There, Jim discerned a call to ordained ministry, studying with Bishop Arthur Vogel, and he was ordained a deacon in 1996. At St. Andrew's, he and Pat founded the Cancer Support Group in 1997, and Jim was named chaplain of St. Andrew's chapter of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician, a Christian healing ministry. He was the first deacon allowed to serve as chaplain of an OSL chapter. Jim also served his community as a chaplain with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Jim was a member of St. Andrew's Vestry (governing board); and he coordinated the expansion and upgrading of the church's Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ in 1993, drawing on his knowledge as an organist himself and making it one of the finest organs in Kansas City. He retired from active service as a deacon in 2014 and received the congregation's highest honor, the Rector's Cross, in 2016. Jim is survived by his wife, Pat, as well as their daughter Jennifer Elaine Moore of Kansas City; daughter Stephanie Ann Moore of Gardner, KS; and son James Wesley Moore Jr. of Parsons, KS. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas, and sister, Ann Eppley of Phoenix, AZ. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Calista Moore. Jim's eternal life will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace in Kansas City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to St. Andrew's. Arrangements are through the Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri.