James Dudley Mooney

James Dudley Mooney, Sr. passed away peacefully on October 1, 2022. James was born in Clifton on January 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 Masters degree 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, 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. as well as 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. James was beloved by his nieces, Kimberly Lynn Baker Schnider (Vern), Diana Baker Freeman, and Ronda Baker, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Beth (Cornell) and Ronald Baker, as well as his sister-in-law, Patricia Mooney and nephew, Stephen Mooney. He is also survived by a great niece, Lynna Bartosh, great nephews, Blake Bartosh (Courtney) and Dustin Freeman (Britney) and great-great nieces and nephews, Walter and Winnie Burks, Dawson and Delilah Freeman, Kaylie and Kenzlee Bartosh.

James was reading 31 books and faithfully playing armchair Jeopardy up to his passing on October 1, 2022. The Celebration of Life for James will be Saturday, October 15 at 10:30 am in the First Methodist Church in Hamilton. 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.