James B. Moore, 90, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Wesley Manor, Frankfort, IN. He was the oldest son of W. Forrest and V. Janet (Loveless) Moore of Clarks Hill, Indiana. Born in Lafayette, IN on November 10, 1935, Jim graduated from Clarks Hill High School in 1953 and attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He attained his bachelor’s degree from Purdue where he was a member of the Naval ROTC program. After graduation, he began an exemplary career in the United States Navy in 1958 entering as an Ensign and retiring in 1983 as a Captain. His naval career specialized in air intelligence where he served on the naval carriers CV-32 Bon Homme Richard, CVB-43 Coral Sea, CV-59 Forrestal, CVB-41 Midway, and CVN-65 Enterprise along with stateside locations in Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island and Hawai’i. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and attained his master’s degree in International Law from George Washington University. In 1980, Jim retired from the Navy and relocated in Indiana where he worked in real estate and computer consulting.
Jim married Janice Lynn Coombs in 1966. They had two daughters, Tonya (Tony) Cleaver of Mooresville, Indiana and Erica (John) Baber of Michigantown, Indiana. Jim and Janice divorced in 1988. Jim is survived by one brother, Timothy of Lebanon, Illinois. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Michael (Shelby) McQueen, Jeffrey (Marina) Jones, Kalynn Baber, Courtney (fiancé Tanner) Cleaver and MacKenzie Cleaver and two great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Maya. Jim had a long-term loving relationship with Mildred Halsema who preceded him in death in 2020. He remained close with her daughters Cindy and Charlotte and their children.
Jim was active in WALLA (Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association), Lafayette Area Retired Officers Association, and Dayton United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be 10 am – 12 Noon, Monday December 1, 2025 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral services will begin at 12 Noon Monday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy and Clinton County Honor Guard will take place at Concord Cemetery, south of Lafayette. Memorial donations may be made to WALLA, Wounded Warrior Project or Lafayette American Legion Post 38. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence.