James “Jim” C. Mooney Jr. passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the age of 90 years, after a brief illness. He had been residing with his daughter and son-in-law in Marble for the last two and a half years.
A native of South Charleston, W.Va., Jim attended South Charleston High School, graduating in 1948. He then joined the U.S. Air Force, working as part of the illustrious Strategic Air Command.
Upon completion of his military service, Jim attended Brevard Community
College, where he studied Fire Science.
In 1952, Jim began a long, distinguished career in the Fire Service, lasting more than 42 years. A few of the positions he served as included: Fire Chief in Enterprise CA, Assistant Fire Chief I Rescue Team Leader for Astronauts throughout the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions of the 1960s, Fire Chief in Melbourne, Fla., and Training Coordinator at Florida State Fire College and Ridge Vocational I Technical Fire College.
Jim was a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Instructors, National Fire Protection Association, Masonic Lodge, and the Valley of the Orient Shrine.
Jim loved the outdoors, spending time at his camp in Blairsville Ga., sailing,
shooting guns, and working as Rangemaster at Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club in his retirement. He also enjoyed collecting firearms, reloading, repairing antique clocks, and he loved animals.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Corbitt Mooney Sr. and Nona May Mooney; his wife, Patricia Mooney; and his son, Edgar “Eddie” James Mooney.
Jim is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nona Ruth Miguel and Douglas Miguel; grandchildren, Marcus Anthony Carlucci Sr. and Marisa Suzanne Schmitt; as well as seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 7, at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US-1, Mims, Fla. 32754