James Kingsley Moss

James Kingsley Moss passed away on April 2, 2023 at the age of 100. Born in Louisville, KY on February 10, 1923, he was the son of Anna L. (Parrent) Moss and Walter Neil Moss. Known affectionately as “Doc” by many of his friends, he was a man of great integrity, gentleness, and compassion, who will be greatly missed.

Moss graduated from Male High School in Louisville and attended the Citadel, the University of Chicago, and Purdue University before serving as a Combat Infantry Officer with the 329th Regiment of the 83rd Infantry Division in the European theater. After the war he completed his premedical training at the University of Chicago and the University of Georgia, graduating from the Medical College of Georgia in 1953. He received his pediatric training at Duval Medical Center and Tulane University (Charity Hospital, New Orleans) and practiced pediatrics in Jacksonville for 33 years with Drs. J.W. Hayes, Jim Townsend, Jim McCain, Alan Perlman and Bill Hansberry.

Moss initiated and hosted the first meeting of Jacksonville pediatricians to promote and develop a children’s hospital. This effort, together with the support of Baptist Hospital, culminated in the establishment of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where Moss served as the second president of the medical staff. He also served as chief of pediatrics at St. Luke’s Hospital, president of the medical staff of University Hospital (now Shands Jacksonville), and president of the NE Florida Pediatric Society. He was a clinical associate of pediatrics for the University of Florida Medical School and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Among his proudest accomplishments was taking up golf at the age of 50. He went on to become a golfer of some renown at Fort George and at Hidden Hills Country Club, achieving his first hole in one in his 80’s and still playing twice a week into his 90’s. A former member and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, at the time of his death he was a member of Highlands United Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his first wife of 48 years Margaret Anne Womack Moss, his second wife of 16 years Virginia Thomas Moss, his sister Ann Newton York, a son James Kingsley Moss, Jr., grandson David Franklin Kuhn, and son-in-law Kenneth Edward DeVore. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Moss Kuhn (and husband Frank) and Anne Carolyn DeVore; granddaughters Carri Anne Soles and Sarah Elizabeth Pope (and husband Chip); and great grandchildren Judah Soles, Naomi Soles, Charlie Pope and Sean Pope. He is also survived by step-children Emily D. Mingione (wife of the late Alfred Mingione); Barbara Lightner (and husband Richard); and William Patterson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the James K. Moss, M.D. and David F. Kuhn Pediatric Oncology Scholar Fund #8061-P at the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, 720 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 150, Augusta, GA 30901; Wolfson Children’s Hospital, 841 Prudential Dr., Suite 1300, Jacksonville, FL 32207; or Highlands United Presbyterian Church, 10900 McCormick Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32225. A memorial service will be held on April 10, 2023 at Highlands United Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm.