James Robert Moxley Jr.

1930 - 2017

James (Jim) Robert Moxley, Jr was born in his parent's home on July 24, 1930 to his mother Ruth (Hemp) Moxley and his father James Moxley Sr. He passed in the same home on February 11, 2017 at the age of 86.

He was deeply devoted to and survived by his wife Dessie and four children James Robert Moxley III, Lori D. Moxley, Dr. Susan D. Moxley, Mark G. Moxley and their spouses. He was an adoring grandfather to his seven grandchildren James IV, Ellen, Christopher, Stewart, Thomas, Lincoln and Dessie. He was dedicated to his nieces, nephews, godchildren and a circle of close friends and their families from his beloved community of Howard County, Maryland.

The family will receive visitation at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD on Thursday February 16 from 1-3pm and 6-8pm. Services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church where Jim was a lifelong congregant, on Friday February 17, 2017 at 11am. A reception will follow at Jim and Dessie's home in West Friendship, Maryland. The interment will be private.

Jim graduated from Lisbon High School in 1947. He pursued his agriculture degree in Dairy Science at the University of Maryland and graduated in 1951. After completing college, Jim came back to his family farm where his father had established a dairy herd and Jim immediately assumed the farming operation responsibilities. Eventually he and his four children established a prominent Angus beef herd known as Dawn Acres Angus. Although Jim's career took him in many different directions, he never lost his love for agriculture and the 4-H program.

In 1948 he was a member of the US Dairy Judging Team that traveled by ship to England and Scotland for the International competition. That experience, along with hosting guests through the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program as well as educational exchange students heightened Jim's interest in international travel which led him to every continent in the world. Through Jim's love of people and his commitment to developing friendships he accumulated lifelong friends nationwide and worldwide.

In 1959 he married Dessie M. Buser. They had a remarkable and loving marriage for 58 years. It was a perfect match of marital traits. She was outgoing and creative, and he was reserved and competent. They both were energetic and hard working and valued their family, friends and achievements. Jim continued leadership in agriculture related organizations through service with the Howard County Fair Board, Howard County Farm Bureau, 4-H Foundation and Howard County Conservancy. He was a champion for education, becoming very involved in the growth and development of Glenelg Country School, serving as its Vice Chair, and then later serving on the Garrison Forest School Board. Upon retirement from the Glenelg Country School Board, his colleagues noted he was confident and decisive while displaying great humility. He was a generous donor to many scholarship funds.

His first real estate development ventures were Normandy Heights and Normandy Shopping Center on farmland formerly owned by his grandfather. These were developed with his father, James Moxley Sr, Norman Moxley and Robert Moxley. When the Baltimore Washington area was being considered by Disney for a theme park, Jim persuaded his father to put their farm on Cedar Lane in a package to be offered for sale. Disney passed on the package but shortly thereafter another entrepreneur, Jim Rouse, was looking for land to begin the planned community known as Columbia. From there his real estate development career began, and he sold his dairy cowherd in 1965. Jim also served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of The Columbia Bank and as its Chairman. He continued his business career with success until his retirement in 2000, at the age of 70.

His altruism led to a full schedule of community service. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Howard County General Hospital, President of the Howard County Fair Association and President of the Maryland 4 - H Foundation. He served on the boards of Horizon Foundation, the Montgomery Mutual Insurance Company, and The Columbia Foundation, from which he received the James Rouse Award for Leadership.

Many will miss Jim's inherent compassion, generosity, strength and his friendship. He never lost his gentle nature and gratitude for his good fortune throughout every stage of his life. In lieu of flowers to honor Jim, donations can be made to: St James United Methodist Church, the Maryland 4-H Foundation, and Howard County General Hospital.

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