James was born in Bell, California, on Dec. 30, 1941, to Raymond A. and Kathryn I. Moore.
He was raised in Southern California and graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1959. That very summer he entered Naval Training Boot Camp and was honorably discharged in 1965. He worked in various capacities including Metallurgy Lab, Aircraft Parts, Auto Mechanic, Construction, General Contractor, Truck Driver, and a cowboy. In 1992 he began his final vocation as a pastor for the Church of the Nazarene, from which he retired after 20 years.
Jim was blessed with a daughter, Jennifer I. Moore, in 1962 from his first marriage.
James married his second wife, Carolyn E. Worthington, in 1991 after his graduation from Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated with two degrees: Bachelor of Bible and Associate of Christian Education. He pastored a number of Nazarene churches in Missouri and Oklahoma.
In his retired years, Jim loved fishing, fly tying, playing golf and wood carving. He will be forever remembered by friends and family for his role as Santa Claus during a number of holiday seasons; his highlight was spending Christmas Day at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Kathryn Moore, and his brothers, Raymond Jr. and Gregory Moore.
James is survived by his wife Carolyn of Ridgefield, Washington; his daughter Jennifer Frost; three grandchildren, Hannah, Jonathan and Rachael Frost; and two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Everly Frost.
Service Information: There will be a Celebration of Life at Footprints Church of the Nazarene, 801 NE 194th St., Ridgefield, Washington, on Feb. 28, 2026, at 1 p.m.
