of Paris, AR
April 11, 1960 - August 17, 2022
James Leon "Jay" Moore, 62, a resident of Paris, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2022 in Fort Smith.
He was born April 11, 1960 in Ozark to the late Vernon Leon and Betty Lou (Thompson) Moore. Jay graduated from Emporia State University with a Masters of Science in Psychology. After graduating, Jay worked for the CIA until opening what was to become his proudest achievement, Jay's Saloon and Grille in Arlington, Virginia in 1993.
Jay was known for never meeting a stranger and that was never more evident than when he moved home to Paris in 2016, where he worked both at Big Red Corner Store and the Grapevine Restaurant. Jay was a "customer service specialist" of sorts, always being the first to greet you with a smile and friendly conversation. Along with his friendly personality came a heart for animals like no other and generosity to others even putting everyone else's needs ahead of himself.
In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by a sister, Vicki Lynn Young-Rice and a nephew, Jacob Leon Vines.
Survivors include his sister, Lisa Vines and husband, Kenny of Paris; six nieces, Cris Koch and husband, Jerry, Peggy Rogers and husband, Tracy, Samantha Evans and husband, Matt, Jaime Jackson, Jessie McGarrah and husband, Joey and Jordan Devine and husband, Joe; three nephews, Jason Vines and wife, Jessie, Josh Vines and wife, Brandy and Jon Vines; numerous great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews; his four legged children, Baldy, Pretty, Spot, Brownie and Cat and his special friend, the neighborhood hog ''Pig''.
Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2022 at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. A rosary service will follow at 7:00 p.m.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paris with Fr. Reginald Udouj, OSB officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of Jay's loyal staff and patrons at Jay's Saloon and Grille.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to FurGet Me Not, 1256 North State Highway 309, Paris, AR 72855 or by taking to First National Bank in Paris.
Jay was the kindest and most unselfish person I ever knew. He ran a comforting locals oriented restaurant/ bar that was so welcome in an Arlington/Washington nightlife scene so plagued with clients that generally believed themselves to be superiors.
From 2005 to 2015, his Saloon/Grille was a second home to me Rest in peace Jay.
After losing my wife Jay welcomed me Into a great family.
Lisa & family, So sorry to hear about your brother. You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers. He will be missed by many. Sheila & Family
R I P Jay from the moment I first met you and worked along sideof you you instantly became a life long best friend and the best listener you never had a bad day everything was always happy around Jay we love you Jay.....
Prayers for the family
At true gentlemen man and a great friend to us all. He will be missed.
Jay and Family, I have found it an extreme honor and an absolute pleasure knowing each and every one of you. Your generosity, kindness, and love shown to all is inspiring.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you for your loss and I pray for the loving comfort only the Lord can provide at this time.
⤠Betty
Lisa, Kenneth and family. So sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you all. ðŸ™
James Leon was one of my best buddies in high school, freshman year college roommate, foosball partner and most of all a FRIEND! Great, great guy. Love ya, brother.
Rest in Peace Buddy!
So happy to have known you!
Sunshine on a cloudy day!
You are missed!
We were a couple of regulars at the saloon. We have a bar stool from Jay's in our kitchen. We missed him when he left VA. We are glad that he
connected with family at home. Sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Jay.
Sincere Condolences to the family and all who knew him. So sorry for your loss.
Spent many hours with Jay at the saloon. Special trip to be there for the last days before it closed. I tried to connect when I was in Fort Smith a couple of times and now I understand why you always begged off. Rest in peace my friend. We’ll meet again.
I am so so sorry to hear this. Another one of my classmates of 1978 gone way to soon. Hugs and prayers to you, Lisa and family at this hard time!
What a wonderful man! Ive known you since high school and always admired your out going personna. You will be sorely missed my friend, praying for your family Gods blessings to all!
My heart goes out to the whole family. Never easy to lose a loved one but your memories will never be lost.
Prayers go out to James' family during this difficult time...
R.I.P James
With Deepest Condolences
Cena Jeremiah
So very sorry to hear about James' death. My prayers go out to the family. It is hard to loose a brother. My heart goes out to you Lisa.
I'm so sorry I enjoyed going to big red and see him. He was friendly.
Lisa, Kenny and family:
Im so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember him from high school. May you cherish your memories. Prayers for all.
Prayers to your whole family. I'm so sorry for your loss. God Bless you All!!
My prayers are with the Moore family. James was a great friend in high school. I always looked forward to his visits home when we chatted at Mass. God bless!
I was a regular at Jay’s Saloon for many years
I managed a restaurant near by and would go and see Jay on Sunday or Monday nights and talk “Shop†and help him close up
A great Loss for sure
RIP My Friend
Jay was one of a kind. He will always be special in my heart. Always happy even on his off days.. prayers for all
Oh My my heart is broken in many pieces. All my thoughts and prayers are with all of you . Jay was such a good sweet kind man and I sure will miss him and the smile of his .
James was one of my first and one of my most unforgettable students. Always the nicest snd friendliest person in the room. I will miss him snd his friendship. Prayers for the family- a big loss for the community
So sorry for your loss and will be praying for you all.
James was a good friend and a very nice person I always enjoyed talking to him I will miss him a lot
My best early childhood memories all have 1 thing in common; the best cousins in the world. You are irreplaceable Jay. Gone but never forgotten, until we met again, dear brother. â¤ï¸
R.I.P buddy.
Lisa and family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all at this difficult time.
Prayers for James and family
He was a great guy
Lisa and the entire family,
Extending all of you my sincere sympathy. May he rest in peace. Respectfully, Celeste Fox
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all!