John Butler Moss

1956 - 2016

John Butler Moss, noted Clay County attorney, died on Thursday Aug. 25, 2016, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, at the age of 59, following a courageous battle with cancer. John is survived by his wife Donna; children Kathleen Curtis Moss, Jane Moss Livsey (Nathan), Delaney Caroline Swindle, Shauna Swindle Crump (Kyle), Trey Swindle; sisters Margery Moss Lohmar (Peter) and Frances Johnson Moss (David); granddaughter Haylee Caroline Swindle; nieces Sarah Berglund (Shawn), Sarah Tucker, Anne Moss-Tucker and nephews James Lohmar and Allan Tucker; cousins Rundell Curtis, Tory Lolly, Roger Byrne, Cheryl Vera and Hillary Masker, along with their children.
John was born at St. Vincent's in Jacksonville, Fla., on Oct. 11, 1956, and grew up in Orange Park, Fla., the son of Earle C. Moss, Jr. and Kathleen Curtis Moss, brother of the late Mary Frances Moss and uncle of the late Elizabeth Joy Lohmar. John graduated from Orange Park High School in 1974 and the University of Florida, majoring in political science and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. John went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi in 1983. He was admitted to the bars of Florida and Mississippi. John began the practice of law in his father's office before joining the Orange Park firm of Kopelousos, Head, Smith, Townsend and Metcalf, P.A. There, under the tutelage of Robert J. Head, Jr., John became an expert real estate and business law attorney. In 1998, John formed the law firm Head, Moss and Fulton, P.A. on Fleming Island with his partners Bob Head and Holly Fulton where his practice remains today. In 2013, John and his partners welcomed Alexandra Griffin as a partner and the firm became known as Head, Moss, Fulton & Griffin, P.A. John was beloved and well respected by the legal and business community in Clay County. John was a member of the Rotary Club of Orange Park and the American and Clay County Bar Associations where he was president in 1988-1989.
After graduating from Ole Miss, John moved to the beach where he continued his love for surfing, the ocean and lifelong friends. John also instilled a love of the mountains in his family with annual ski trips to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, and camping adventures with his daughters at Pisgah National Forest, N.C. John was a long time season ticket holder for the Florida Gators and never missed a home game, always tailgating beforehand with his friends. John was very proud when his daughters, Kate and Jane, were accepted at the University of Florida.
John met his wife Donna on a blind date and they were married on July 9, 2006, at Sawgrass Beach Club, surrounded by hundreds of friends and family. John was a loving, caring husband and John and Donna's life together in Jacksonville Beach was a true love story. They made wonderful memories together enjoying the beach, boating, swimming in the backyard pool, trips to Jekyll Island, the Keys and Europe.
John was a true friend to all and made everyone he met feel important and special. He went out of his way to lend a hand when others were in trouble or simply needed a friend to talk to. John will be missed dearly and he will hold an everlasting place in our hearts and be with us in spirit.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 31, 2016, at Grace Episcopal Church, 245 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Fla., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043; 904-284-4000.