James “Buddy” Moore, age 93, of Florence, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 9^th, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Florence. The service will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Brother Roger Mardis and Brother Bryan McEntyre officiating. Burial will follow at Greenview Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Mary Ruth Jackson Moore. His son Mike Moore (Beebe) and his daughter Kathy Moore Clemmons (Jim); Granddaughters Mary Moore LaBrecque (Brett), Orlando, FL, Katie Clemmons (New York, NY) and Maggie Clemmons (Washington, DC)

Buddy is a Sheffield native and a 1951 Graduate of Sheffield High School.  At Sheffield High School, he played football for four years and was Co-Captain of the 1950 Team.

He entered Florence State Teachers College (now UNA) where he received a BS Degree in History, Economics and Political Science. He lettered four years in football and was an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.  He also met the love of his life, Mary Ruth Jackson, to whom he was married for 70 years.

He earned a Master’s Degree and an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of North Alabama and served the education field for 35 years.

Buddy was commissioned as a 2^nd Lt in the U.S. Army and served active duty for two years. Upon his discharge, he joined the Alabama National Guard as a 1^st Lt and afterwards served in various command positions in the Guard.  His last assignment was as The Adjutant General in command of the Alabama Army and Air National Guard.  He retired as a Major General with forty-one years of military service.

His educational and coaching career started at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama where he taught Government and Economics while serving as the Assistant Football Coach.  After two years at Deshler, he was appointed Athletic Director, Head Football and Track Coach where he served a total of 12 years.

He accepted the position of Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Scottsboro High School in Scottsboro, Alabama for one year before moving back to the Shoals to become the Assistant Principal, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Coffee High School in Florence, Alabama for the next 10 years, and was promoted and served as Principal of Coffee High School for 9 years.

His Accomplishments include

UNA Sports Hall of Fame

Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame

Lauderdale County Sports Hall of Fame

UNA Alumni of the Year Award

American Red Cross-National Volunteer of the Year Award for the Armed Serviced Emergency Services

Member of Phi Kappa Phi

Distinguished Service Medal, U.S. Army

Legion of Merit, U.S. Army

In-lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Red Cross.