Our beloved James E. Moore, Jr. was born in Macon, Georgia on December 15, 1952 to James E. Moore, Sr. and Eliger Mae Jones Moore of Macon, Georgia. As a child, James relocated with his parents to New Britain, Connecticut. He attended the New Britain school system and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. James married his wife Patricia Ann Moore in Connecticut. The couple later moved back to Macon, Georgia, and eventually settled in Scottsboro, Alabama. Although James worked in various industries, his talent and love for culinary arts led him to several culinary positions throughout the Scottsboro and Stevenson areas. During his culinary career, James worked as a cook at Highland Medical Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. He later became head chef at Apple Jacks Pizza & Pasta in Stevenson, Alabama. After retiring from the culinary field, James spent his time working with BG & C Cleaning alongside his good friend Gail Branford. James spent his free time hanging out with his grandchildren, cooking delicious meals, and watching westerns, football, and basketball. He especially loved watching his grandson Jabari play football and proudly attended his games throughout his career at the United States Military Academy at West Point. James also looked forward to attending seasonal produce festivals. He had a special fondness for watermelons and made an annual trip to Cordele, Georgia—known as the "Watermelon Capital of the World"—with his younger brother Paul and occasionally his brother-in-law Jerry. He would return home with as many watermelons as possible to share with family and friends. James was also well known for his famous "cat-head biscuits," affectionately named because they were the size of a cat's head. He was a proud member of the Prince Hall Masons fraternal organization. On Friday, July 10, 2026, James transitioned peacefully at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. A memorial service will be held 2 PM Saturday July 18, 2026 from the Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Scottsboro.