James Dudley Mooney, Sr.

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. Clifton remained homebase while growing up until graduation from Clifton High School in 1957. 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 master’s 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. In 2008, they moved to Hamilton to be close to family.

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; and his grandchildren, Coleson Dudley and Garrett Miles Mooney.

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 a.m. 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.