Corpus Christi, Texas — James Earl Moyer

July 9, 1928 – April 11, 2012

    

After enjoying a long retirement, Jim Moyer, 83, died at his home in Corpus Christi TX. He is survived by his brother Robert Moyer of Weslaco, TX , sons Monty Moyer (Ranae) of Chandler, OK; Steve Moyer (Kim) of Edmond, OK and four grandchildren; Bryan, Alex, Chase and Caitlyn.  Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Dutch and Bess Moyer and his brothers Paul and Max.

Jim was born and raised in Weslaco, TX. He attended Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos, TX and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a Master’s Degree in Biology. In 1951, Jim was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and was called to active duty at Gunter AFB in Montgomery AL where he served as a clinical lab instructor. He married Patsy Joy Montgomery September 20, 1952 in Three Rivers, TX and they were married for 24 years. In 1955, Jim was reassigned to the University of Texas, Austin and was awarded a Ph.D. in microbiology and biochemistry and became a member of the National American Society of Microbiology.

In 1958, Jim was promoted to the rank of Major and reassigned to the Air Force School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph AFB and later to the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, TX. His research projects there included the effect of radiation on body tissues; possible closed ecological systems for space exploration and the study of health problems that might develop in confined environments.

In 1966, Jim transferred to the Air Force Reserve Corps and assumed a civil service position with the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration now known as the EPA where he was employed as a research scientist at the Robert S. Kerr Water Research Laboratory in Ada, OK. At Kerr Lab, Jim helped develop advanced waste water treatment technologies.

While in Ada, Jim stayed active in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1976. While living in Ada, he was active with his sons in the Boy Scouts of America and was an adjunct professor at East Central University. He also served on the Ada Civil Defense Team, was a member of the Ada Elks Lodge and other civic organizations.

He retired from the Kerr Water Lab in 1979 and fulfilled his retirement dream of living and fishing on the ocean when he moved to Corpus Christi in 1988. Jim loved to travel taking trips, traveling to Mexico, Central and South America, and sailboat cruises to the Windward and Leeward Islands. His fondest memories are from hunting and fishing trips with his boys, especially surf fishing at Padre Island National Park where his ashes will be scattered.