James Mooney
James Dudley Mooney Sr. passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2022.
The Celebration of Life for James will be Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Methodist Church in Hamilton.
James was born in Clifton Jan. 1, 1940, where his exploits amongst the Biffle and Mooney clans began. Although the family moved often, Clifton remained homebase while growing up until graduation from Clifton High School in 1957.
James was always a rascal and known in school for his lively wit and outlandish sense of humor. After a short stint at Texas A&M, he attended Tarleton College where he fell in love with Joy Lynn Cornell. The two married on June 2, 1962, and spent almost 60 years together.
Post-graduation from Tarleton, James earned a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University, a master’s from East Texas State University and a counseling certificate from TWU.
James started teaching at DeLeon ISD as a history teacher while Joy taught English. From there they moved to Mineral Wells where James taught history and ICT and served as a guidance counselor until retirement. While in Mineral Wells, they welcomed a baby boy to the family, Jim, who tried to pay him back for his raising.
Many summers were spent traveling the US by RV, stopping at historical sites and the occasional flea market or antique store where his passions for history and collecting began.
Retirement was sweet but short-lived as they began an antique business specializing in American furniture, pottery and glassware, which started off his affinity for Roseville pottery.
James had a near photographic memory which aided his skills for identifying rare finds or a piece that was too good to pass up and an ability to tinker, which allowed him to fix almost everything.
In 2008, they moved to Hamilton, where James officially retired with occasional voluntary projects in support of Joy.
His favorite title was Garp to his two grandsons and favorite Aggies, Cole and Garrett. He was a beloved “Guncle” to Kim, Diana and Ronda and later their children.
James was a steadfast supporter of his family and would do anything for them. Even when Joy announced she had volunteered to take a dish to an event, he would go to work getting it ready, loading the car and driving her there… after he said “dammit” a few times.
James was preceded in death by his bride, Joy Lynn (Cornell) Mooney; his parents Nora Belle (Biffle) and Sam Dudley Mooney Jr.; and his brother, Charles Mooney.
He is survived by his son, James Dudley Mooney Jr. (Jim) and Kelli; his grandchildren, Coleson Dudley and Garrett Miles Mooney; nieces Kimberly Lynn Baker Schnider (Vern), Diana Baker Freeman and Ronda Baker; and his sister-in-law and brotherin- law, Mary Beth (Cornell) and Ronald Baker; sister-inlaw Patricia Mooney; nephew Stephen Mooney; great-niece Lynna Bartosh; great-nephews, Blake Bartosh (Courtney) and Dustin Freeman (Britney); and great-greatnieces and -nephews Walter and Winnie Burks, Dawson and Delilah Freeman and Kaylie and Kenzlee Bartosh.
James was reading 31 books and faithfully playing armchair Jeopardy up to his passing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that James be honored through donations made to the James Mooney Memorial Scholarship fund at MC Bank in Hamilton.
