James Thomas Moeller

James Moeller, of Detroit, Michigan, died on October 20, 2022, surrounded by his sons Thomas and Andrew in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.

Jim, as he preferred to be called, was born on August 22, 1939, to parents John N. Moeller II and Marion Moeller (nee Fleshians). His father died when he was young so Jim was raised mostly by his mother from an early age.

Jim grew up on Detroit's Eastside and graduated from Southeastern High School in 1957. He enrolled in Harper Hospital's nursing program before the nursing program was closed to male nursing students, which was a major disappointment. While searching for a new career Jim enrolled in the Detroit College of Business where he received a bachelor's degree in accounting, and went on to a successful career at Fruehauf Trailer Co.

In April 1965, Jim married Myra MacDonald. They had two sons, Thomas and Andrew. Their marriage lasted until 1988.

In 1971, Jim began working for Franklin-Wright Settlements, a United Fund non-profit corporation community center in Detroit's lower Eastside where he worked in accounting and several other business and management positions. He was especially fond of catering the organization's board meetings and holiday dinners, and occasionally cooked for monthly senior citizens gatherings. He was also involved with Franklin's summer camp (Franklin Camp in Lake Orion, Michigan). Shortly before his retirement in 2000, he became the organization's building manager - a pre-retirement transition that he embraced.

As a teenager Jim attended camp Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake with his brother and learned to sail on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, which became a life-long passion that led him to membership in Detroit's Bayview Yacht Club.

In 1971 Jim joined Crescent Sail Yacht Club where he regularly participated in recreational sailing, racing and served many years on the Doubled Handed Race Committee. He also loved volunteering for club projects and taught adult sailing for over a decade. He also regularly helped his twin brother out on his orchard in Lexington, MI especially in the fall during the harvest.

Jim took great pride in his house on East Outer Dr in Detroit. He loved cooking and baking (holiday meals were a specialty), camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, and woodworking. He also became an avid gardener and won several home beautification awards from the East English Village Association for his wonderful flower beds and homemade landscaping.

Following retirement in 2004 Jim filled his time sailing and volunteering with Habit for Humanity. He was pre-deceased by his parents and twin brother, John N. Moeller, III.