TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN HERO

This is in tribute to a wonderful man. Uncle James was the last of my Mother's family. I will miss his smile, his laughter and his spirit.
He will be missed by many.

James Richard Mooneyhan

WHITE ROCK - James Richard Mooneyhan passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at the Heritage at Lowman, White Rock, SC. Born July 31, 1917, in Elliott, SC, he was the eighth child of Charles Green Mooneyhan and Essie Blanche Lindler Mooneyhan. A decorated veteran of World War II, he was in the 502nd Engineers, Light Ponton Company serving in the European Theatre of Operation. On a two-week pass during Tennessee maneuvers and knowing his company would be shipped out, he went home to Bishopville, SC, to marry his sweetheart, Mary Creola Stuckey. After a whirlwind honeymoon to Miami, FL, he left his new bride at the train station in Atlanta to return to his unit for overseas deployment and did not return for 2 ½ years. During this time, Jim participated in the invasion of Normandy on Omaha Beach for D-Day, prepared the reviewing stands for the liberation of Paris, and he rose to the rank of captain during the Battle of the Bulge. Expecting 85% casualties on D-Day alone, he was especially proud that he was able to lead all but two of the 220 men to see home again. For his participation, he received five battle stars â€' Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardenne-Alsace. He just had been notified by the French Embassy that he had received the French Legion of Honor medal which was to be presented by the French Ambassador in April.
For 32 years, he worked at a "little oil company," ExxonMobil, serving as plant superintendent for the Charleston Terminal at the time of his retirement. He enjoyed living "on an island under an oak tree," James Island, Charleston, SC, for 56 years. He was an avid vegetable gardener, receiving the status of Master Gardener from Clemson University in 1982.

Known for his outgoing personality and his wood crafts, Jim like to make things out of scraps â€' like his "peach pit ducks" or his "tin can tin man". He had a full woodworking shop in his room at the Heritage at Lowman and was working on a wooden dog for his doctor at the time of his death.

He is survived by two daughters, Linda Mooneyhan Haslett (Bill) of Winnsboro and Barbara J. Mooneyhan (Everett Davis) of Chapin, SC. He had six grandchildren: Patricia Meeks Smith of Centreville, VA, Julie A. Bristow (Cole) of Morganton, NC, Rusty D. Meeks (Michelle) of Suffolk, VA, Everett C. Davis (Aggie) of Blythewood, Chris Haslett (Sarah) of Charleston, SC, and William Haslett of Pensacola, FL. The apples of his eye were his 12 great-grandchildren. He also had many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years and all nine of his brothers and sisters.

The family wishes to thank his friends at the Heritage at Lowman, especially Fred, Frank, Norman and Tom and the staff.

Hancock Elmore Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is assisting the family. Services will be on Sunday, January 23 at 1:30 at The Heritage at Lowman Chapel in White Rock with burial in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Bishopville at 4 p.m. The family will receive visitors from 1 â€' 1:30 in the Hoefer Gallery at The Heritage at Lowman. A memorial service will be held at Bethany United Methodist of James Island at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church of James Island, 1853 Maybank Highway, Charleston, SC 29412.

Published in The State on January 22, 2011

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