James Moore Obituary

James R. Moore James Rolph Moore passed away in his home on Tuesday, March 20th at the age of 100. Jim was fortunate to have lived a long and productive life. Born to a pioneer family in San Francisco on July 21, 1911, he was a third generation San Franciscan whose grandfather arrived during the Gold Rush. Jim was the son of Mildred Rolph Moore and Joseph Alexander Moore, a shipbuilder, and the nephew of James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, a five-term Mayor of San Francisco, who later became Governor of California. Jim was educated at Lowell High School in San Francisco and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in June 1933. Following graduation, he began working in the family shipbuilding company, The Moore Dry Dock Company, an affiliation he maintained until his retirement. During the First and Second World Wars, the company constructed more than 175 ships for the United States Government and repaired several thousand vessels. The company also built many bridges in the Bay Area and fabricated the steel for numerous local buildings. During his working life and retirement, Jim was a tireless participant and contributor to a wide variety of public causes. A partial list of his affiliations involving board service and leadership positions includes the following: The Society of California Pioneers, The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, The U. C. Berkeley Foundation, The Oakland Museum Association, The Boy Scouts of America, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland. Jim was also a Life Member of the University of California Alumni Association, a Berkeley Fellow, and a member of the Bohemian Club and the Pacific Union Club. An important aspect of his philosophy of life was the idea of giving something back, and he lived his life in a way that exemplified that spirit. Later in life, Jim tried his hand at writing and was the author of several books, including a volume of poetry issued just weeks prior to his passing. A man of gentle wit and quiet humor, he loved nothing better than to tell a good story and elicit laughter from his listeners. He had an enormous passion for knowledge, and reading about a wide variety of subjects gave him immense pleasure. Music played a huge role in his life. Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein were some of his favorite composers. One of his greatest joys was to play the piano for family and friends. He enjoyed travel and held a special place in his heart for Lake Tahoe. Jim is survived by his children, Judith Moore Leet and her husband, Robert Leet, of Belvedere, CA, James Rolph Moore, Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Alamo, CA, Ronald Stephen Moore, of Contra Costa County, CA, Jaynie Thaler Moore of Carmel, CA, and by seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Private services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 1 to Apr. 7, 2012.
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6 Entries

Jim - Farewell and thank you for all that you have done to help Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland to help deserving kids through your 65 years of involvement and very generous support. We will miss your unparalleled kindness and gentlemanly demeanor.

Cal Stanley

April 23, 2012

Dear Mr. Moore,
One of my favorite things to do was to sit with you, Ron and Greg next to the fireplace on cold nights, listening to your spunky stories. Thank you for your kindness and beautiful spirit.
Love,
Reiko Fujii, Alamo, CA.

April 12, 2012

Dear Jim,
I shall always remember you jumping out of the big old black Cadillac from Athen and pushing through the weeds to be our first and only visitor in 1973. Now Nemea has more than 40,000 visitors every year, and you played a major role in making Nemea into a learning center about our common Greek heritage. Thank you.

Stephen Miller

April 8, 2012

Dear Uncle Jim:Thanks for all the joy we got from your books, especially the The Moore Dry Dock Company and more recently the Poetry book. I am glad you completed it.It is a real legacy. Molly Barnes Caputo

molly barnes

April 5, 2012

Uncle Jim, you were an inspiration to all of your relatives. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.
Your loving nephew, Joe Mock

Joe Mock

April 4, 2012

Thank You for being such a Wonderful Father!
Your Beautiful, Kind, Generous Spirit is reflected in the Love, and High Esteem of those who knew You, and Your Many, Many Accomplishments have truly made this a Much Brighter World!
I will miss You Always!
Love You Dad,
Ron

April 1, 2012

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