James Paul Moore

James (Jim) Paul Moore of Indianapolis passed away October 16, 2023 at the young age of 91. He was born May 31^st, 1932, in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Paul and Grace Moore.

Jim graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1951. He worked in carpentry with his dad from a young age and while in high school he started his apprenticeship to become a tool and die machinist. He was very involved as a young man in the International Order of DeMolay. He had many stories of fun times with his fellow brothers at dances and social events. While he was beginning his studies to be a Master Mason, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 25^th,1952.

While Jim was stationed in Germany, he received a 3-day pass and decided he would go with his friend to visit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He did not realize that on this trip he would meet the love of his life and future wife, Pieternella VanBeest. Neither of them spoke the other’s language. With only an English/Dutch dictionary to help them communicate, they fell deeply in love during his multiple return visits to Holland. He asked her to marry him, and they were married on April 28^th, 1956. He even enlisted for six more months just so he could stay with her until she could come home with him to the United States. Jim was a long-time member of Otterbein United Methodist Church and loved to sing the “good old” hymns to worship his Lord and Savior.

Jim worked for Diamond Chain for 43 years, retiring as an experimental development tool maker. He also taught night classes at Tech High School to help others learn how to do the job he loved so much. He built the home he and Nell lived in until the day they each passed away. They had six children which he loved dearly and would do anything to help them, even if that meant that they had to be in the garage right next to him to learn how to work on cars, build a garage, or put a new roof on a house. He loved every minute teaching them to be self-sufficient. He loved to travel with family and long-time friends to places near and far.

He is survived by daughter Ann (Ray) Collyear, son Michael (Ellen) Moore, daughter Rosemary (Carolyn) Scroggham, daughter Lisa (Brian) Williams. Jim loved every one of his nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his beautiful wife Pieternella, an infant daughter, daughter Sonja (Moore) Carter, a great-grand-daughter Sonja W. Carter, and son-in-law Michael E. Scroggham Sr. He was a wonderful man who loved to make others smile. If you asked him, “how are you doing, Jim” his reply would be, “Meaner than ever.” Jim was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be 6-8pm on Friday October 20^th, 2023. Funeral Services will be at 9am Saturday October 21^st, 2023. Both will be held at Indiana Funeral Care 8151 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250. Burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Riley Children’s Hospital.

https://give.rileykids.org/give/312756/#!/donation/checkout