James Handy Moore, 85, died Friday, June 30, 2017 in Sikeston.

Born February 15, 1932 in Charleston, Handy was the son of Joseph Hunter Moore and Caroline McFadden Moore of Charleston. Descended from Southeast Missouri pioneers, Handy spent most of his life in farming and managing family interests.


Handy attended St. Henry's Catholic School in Charleston before graduating from Culver Military Academy In Culver, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1953, serving as president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. In 1953 he married Dorothy Matthews, who survives. They were married 63 years. Afterwards he served as an officer in the First Cavalry Division of the United States Army. He was stationed in Japan before returning to Missouri to manage his family's farming operation.

Handy was an innovator in local agriculture, establishing Morning Sun apple and peach orchard and a successful grape growing operation north of Sikeston. He served as president of the Missouri Grape Growers Association. With his friend Dr. Rene DuPont he opened Moore-DuPont Wineries with locations near Benton and in Springfield. A life long student, he received a masters degree from SEMO University in 1973.


Handy enjoyed tennis, travel, and being with his family. He donated land for the Joseph Hunter Moore River Access in Mississippi County and a large log cabin that had been built by his great-grandfather Benjamin Hunter to SEMO University. He and his brother Bill donated the Moore family home in Charleston to the Mississippi County Historical Society.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his three children, Joseph Hunter Moore of Nashville, TN, Caroline Moore Strom and Charles Matthews Moore of Sikeston. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Bonnie Harris Moore, a son-in-law, David Strom, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

His brother, William Bird Moore preceded him in death.

Private graveside services followed by interment will be held in the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Charleston under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be James Moore, Matthew Strom, Stuart Strom, David Strom, Gustavo Linde, and Eric Bohl.

A reception will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mississippi County Historical Society's Moore home, 403 North Main Street, Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Mississippi County Historical Society, PO Box 312, Charleston, Missouri 63834.