James B. Moran, Jr.

James Moran, a remarkably cherished father, devoted husband, beloved friend, skilled pilot, and adventurous entrepreneur, transitioned from this life to eternal peace on October 27, 2024. Born on October 18, 1960, he was affectionately known as “J” by friends and family. James embraced life with an extraordinary tenacity and boundless energy, always pursuing his passions with remarkable enthusiasm. From a young age, J was captivated by the art of flying. He often expressed that it was the only vocation he ever desired, and this passion defined much of his life. His innate ability to discern the type of aircraft soaring above, simply by its sound, was legendary among his peers. After joining the military, he seized every opportunity to take to the skies, finding joy and exhilaration in each flight. James packed his life with adventures; alongside flying, he relished skiing, mountain biking, and would even take to his skateboard or unicycle, gliding through the neighborhood cul-de-sac with a youthful spirit. His motorcycle rides were another cherished activity, allowing him to explore the open roads. Never one to sit still, he had a perpetual project on his plate, embodying an energetic and hands-on approach to life. In school, his teachers responded to his hyperactive nature by offering him coffee to help him focus. Ironically, he would later turn to it at home, drinking it as a means of relaxation before sleep. James often jokingly referred to himself as the “Jack of all trades, master of none,” a testament to his diverse interests and talents. His easygoing, friendly nature and infectious sense of fun endeared him to countless friends and family members, and he will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

Lt. (Ret) J Moran's aviation career spanned nearly three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the field. He began his journey as an Army aviator, graduating from flight school in 1984 as a Warrant Officer 1 (W01). Following his initial assignment in Korea, he served as a UH-1H instructor pilot and night vision instructor pilot at Fort Rucker, Alabama from 1985 to 1988. In 1988, he returned to Korea, where he held the position of Command Aviation Pilot, responsible for flying Army General Staff officers throughout the year. By 1989, he was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, as the Senior Instructor Pilot for K Company (Aircraft Maintenance) of the 24th Infantry Division. J's dedication to duty and professionalism led him to proudly serve as a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm from 1990 to 1992, where he flew combat support missions for K Company. After a remarkable ten-year tenure in the Army, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) as a Senior Army Aviator, J took advantage of the Voluntary Incentive Program to transition into the United States Coast Guard in September 1992.

During his time as an Army Aviator, J earned several notable accolades, including an Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Saudi-Kuwait Liberation Medal, reflecting his distinguished service.

Once in the Coast Guard, he shifted his focus to flying the HH-65 Dolphin and engaged in vital search and rescue missions in New Orleans. His impressive career continued at Pensacola Naval Air Station/Whiting Field, where he dedicated eleven years flying in support of Arctic and Antarctic scientific missions, even achieving the remarkable feat of flying over the Transantarctic Mountains during one expedition. Combining his extensive experience as an Army instructor pilot, J subsequently took on the role of a USCG instructor pilot at NAS Whiting Field. He dedicated his efforts to training both Navy and Coast Guard students in the TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopter. After a fulfilling eleven years with the Coast Guard, and a cumulative 21 years of military service, J retired in 2003 and relocated to the beautiful landscapes of Colorado.

Among his notable achievements in the Coast Guard, James received the Arctic and Antarctic Service Medals, a rare honor awarded only to a select few. He also visited both the North and South Poles with postcards from both.

Upon settling in Colorado, J partnered with his brother in the roofing business, though his passion for flying persisted. As a supplemental venture, he flew civilian Medivac missions for Air Methods in a Bell 407 helicopter for several additional years. However, after a particularly challenging assignment in which he navigated a mountainous valley at 16,000 feet with oxygen masks and night vision goggles to respond to a car accident illuminated by police headlights, J decided to retire from his flying career, concluding his nearly three decade-long journey in aviation with over 6,000 flight hours.

He is survived by his loving wife Angi, who he met in high school, their daughter Christine, son James, granddaughter Andrea, as well as his parents, four siblings, and a multitude of cherished friends and family members. J will be remembered for his unmistakable cheerful voice and twinkling blue eyes—symbols of his radiant spirit. For those left behind, life will undoubtedly feel different without him, as the shared activities they cherished together may never feel the same. However, they take comfort in knowing that whenever they ski or catch a glimpse of a helicopter, airplane, or the Blue Angels soaring above, J will be remembered with fondness and warmth. In the final years of his life, James frequently expressed “cheers” along with the phrase "Modeh Ani," an expression of gratitude to God for the gift of waking each day. He believed in recognizing the significance of the simplest blessings, like just being alive, breathing, and having a heartbeat. J always focused on “GUP”—finding gratitude for what is uplifting and positive. One of his favorite scriptures was Romans 5:1-5, which beautifully encapsulates his outlook on life: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And this hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” In memory of J, friends and family will gather at 10 AM on Monday, November 6, to honor his remarkable life and the legacy he leaves behind.