JACK DENIS MOATS

JACK DENIS MOATS, 94, of Auburn, died on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at Parkview North Hospital. Born July 7, 1917, in Garrett, Ind., he was the son of Forrest H. and Georgia Marie (Snyder) Moats. He graduated from Garrett High School in 1935, where he excelled in both football and basketball, to join the Navy where he served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga as a Water Tender. He was discharged in 1939 and began his career on the B&O Railroad as a fireman. He answered the call to again serve his country in 1941, when he reported to duty in Norfolk, Va. aboard the U.S.S. WestPoint. The WestPoint was being converted from a luxury liner to a troop transport and Jack was part of the crew that put the ship into commission. He served on the WestPoint from 1941 to 1945, carrying troops and even nurses to both the European and Asian theatres of war. He married his hometown sweetheart, Ferne Zimmerman on June 25, 1944, in Garrett before returning to service on the WestPoint until the war ended in 1945, achieving the rate/rank of Chief Water Tender. The ship was in Singapore during the Japanese bombing and miraculously escaped, unscathed, transporting the British civilians who lived there to safety. He had many interesting tales to tell of his time aboard the WestPoint. Following the war, he returned to work on the B&O where he retired as an engineer in 1982. He is one of the last (if not the last) of a group of B&O railroad engineers that made the transition from steam engines to diesels. He was selected, shortly before his retirement, to engineer a renovated steam engine, which was headed east on a tour from Chicago to Garrett. Also a licensed embalmer, he assisted his brother-in-law, Forrest Zimmerman at Zimmerman Funeral Home, Garrett. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and the Garrett Alumni Association. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church, Auburn. He enjoyed playing golf until losing his sight, Garrett athletics, and IU football and basketball. He was one of IU play by play announcer Don Fischer's biggest fans. He also loved to attend his ship's reunions. He and Ferne were able to attend most of them from 1971 to 2010 and established many wonderful friendships. A defining moment was when he was able to attend the long overdue World War II Memorial, while attending a reunion at Arlington, Va., in 2005. He also cherished a ride in the steam engine on the Sugar Line Railroad, which was a logging railroad in Yosemite National Park, in 2008, as well as, a trip up Pike's Peak with his family in 2006. "He was a true patriot and a wonderful husband and father." He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ferne; a son, John of Auburn; a daughter, Margaret (Jay) Hall of Raleigh, N.C.; and one granddaughter, Megan Hall of Raleigh. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Gwen Steigmeyer and Jeanette Balthazar. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett. The Rev. Wilbur Yates officiating. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home. A military graveside service will follow funeral in Christian Union Cemetery. Memorials to First United Methodist Church, Auburn or to an organization of the donor's choice.