James Moore Obituary

Moore
James Moore
April 15, 1940
August 20, 2022

The Rev. James L. Moore, 82, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died August 20, 2022, following a prolonged illness.

Born April 15, 1940, in Wayland, Iowa, to Verlin and Edith Moore, he spent his early years in Wayland and nearby Mt. Pleasant. The family moved to Colorado in 1951 – first to Denver then Manitou Springs. Graduating from Manitou Springs High School in 1958, he initially remained in Manitou working as a postal clerk and carrier, serving as a volunteer firefighter, and becoming a founding company member of both the Manitou Players and The Arena Players. As a member of both companies he performed in Iron Springs Chateau's summer melodramas – progressing from guileless youth to the heroine's father to the dastardly villain – then in The Arena Players' fall/winter productions performed at the Oxford Hotel and other Denver venues.

He ultimately chose to attend college, graduating with an English degree from the University of Iowa in 1969. Having received the call to serve God, he attended Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, graduating in 1972. Receiving the call to pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Battle Creek, Michigan (Reformed Church in America), Rev. Moore oversaw the construction of a new church (christened Christ Community Church), served on the Youth for Christ board for 18 years, and served on the Y Center's Christian Emphasis Committee.

Seeking a pastoral change, in 1994 he and his wife accepted positions teaching English composition and conversation at Reformed Church in America-affiliated Ferris Girls Junior and Senior High School in Yokohama, Japan. Living, working, and traveling throughout Japan and the Western Pacific, Rev. Moore occasionally preached at Yokohama Union Church, Maita Church in Yokohama, and taught English-language Bible courses at Tokyo's Japan Bible Seminary. The Moores returned from Japan to Colorado Springs in 2001 where, though formally retired, he served as relief pastor and continued to lead Bible study classes until 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janice Moore of Colorado Springs, daughter Erin Moore (Fritz Stahr) of Seattle, Washington, sister Jane Yusten of Colorado Springs, sister-in-law Beverly Heemstra of Sheldon, Iowa, and many beloved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Edith Plummer, father Verlin, brother Robert Moore, sister DeAnna Bennett, brothers-in-law Buddy Bennett, James Yusten, and Rodney Heemstra, and sister-in-law Joyce Warner.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church (219 E. Bijou Street) in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, September 14th at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Moore wished to be remembered as a man who loved the God he served. In lieu of flowers his family requests remembrances in his honor be made to:

In Memory of Rev. James L. Moore
Western Theological Seminary
101 East 13th St.
Holland, MI 49423