Jack Solomon Moss

Jack Solomon Moss died Wednesday night, April 3, 2013, of complications from chronic illness. Universally beloved, Jack embodied the portrait of the honorable man found in Psalm 15, of one who lives with integrity, even when it is hard, and who sees the best in those around him. From his oldest friends to the caregivers of his final years, Jack’s generous and warm spirit drew others to him like moths to a friendly flame.  Born in Charlotte, N.C., on February 16, 1928, Jack was the middle of three sons of Bertha Holler Moss and Jake N. Moss, Sr. From an early age, Jack endeared himself to those around him with his characteristically infectious smile. Beyond his happy manners, however, Jack also possessed a strong sense of duty to care for his family and friends, especially his younger brother Wesley and later in life, both his mother and mother-in-law, Ruth Harding. At 18, Jack joined the army during the tail end of WWII and served in Kyoto, Japan, during the occupation. Afterwards, Jack returned to North Carolina to attend UNC Chapel Hill, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1952.  While in college, he met and fell in love with Elizabeth Harding, and they married in 1953. During the course of their 50-year marriage, they were blessed with three beautiful daughters and seven beloved grandchildren. To Jack, Elizabeth was always “my buddy”, and he adored her from the moment they met to the moment she passed away, on December 21, 2003. Jack and Elizabeth were devoted to each other. Together, they were loving parents and grandparents, and unreservedly generous to friends and family alike.  Jack lived every day with joy, finding beauty and worth in all he came across. The bulk of his career was spent in customer service and sales. He rose through the ranks quickly due to a strong work ethic and a desire to serve others well. A man of eclectic but flawless taste, Jack also had an unerring eye for the rare and beautiful, and nothing gave him quite as much pleasure as giving “something special” to those he loved. Even in the last decade of his life, as he battled increasing illnesses, he was always ready with a kind word, his trademark quips, and a sincere desire to know how you were.  His patience and selfless attention to others were the hallmark of a life filled with Christian generosity and love for others above self. He will most be remembered by all who knew and loved him as one who had the biggest of hearts, the biggest of laughs, and whose integrity was demonstrated in both word and deed throughout his life.  Jack is pre-deceased by his parents, his older brother Jake, and his beloved wife, Elizabeth. He is survived by his three daughters: Beth Salyers and her husband, Doug, and their children, Amelia and Jake of Atlanta; Margaret Massagee and her husband Terry and their children, Caroline and Claire of Greensboro, N.C.; and Martha Rome and her husband Peter, her children, T.J., Audrey and Lizzie Hartland and his children Lisa and David Rome of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Also surviving are his brother Wesley Moss and his wife Linn of Prescott, Arizona, and his son, David Moss of Charlotte, N.C, and his daughter Melody Moss-Jackson of Tempe, Arizona.  Jack was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta, where a service of celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2013. There will also be a visitation at Patterson’s  Oglethorpe Hill on Friday, April 5, from 6-8:00 pm.  A second service will be held on Monday, April 8th, at the Historic Huntsville United Methodist Church in Huntsville, N.C., with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to St. James United Methodist Church, Atlanta, or the Huntsville Historic Preservation Society, c/o Anne White, 5205 Courtney-Huntsville Road, Yadkinville, N.C. 27055.