Col. John William"Jack" Moon

Colonel John William “Jack” Moon 88, of Hurricane passed away peacefully May 7, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. Jack was born June 6, 1927 in Champaign IL, a son of the late Charles Cecil and Harriet Kirk Moon. In addition to his parents Jack was preceded in death by his sister Maudine Moon Pendergast and brother in laws Richard Pendergast and Dr. William G. Crews. He attended Huntington High School and graduated from Ashland High School, attended the Citadel, Charleston SC, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY and graduated with a Board of Regents Degree from West Virginia State College, Institute WV. Jack was one of the “Greatest Generation”, enlisting on March 7, 1945 in the US Navy during World War II serving aboard the USS Procyon (AKA-2) as a Seaman First Class in the South Pacific and in Korea was a 1st Lt., 40th Infantry Division in the US Army. He then joined the WV Army National Guard in 1955, was promoted to Major in 1961, after graduating from Command and Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kanas, in 1969 he commanded the 1st Squadron, 150th Armored Division Calvary from 1972 – 1975 and Special Forces Detachment, WV Army National Guard from 1975 – 1976, where he was promoted to Colonel on November 24, 1975. He served on the General Staff as Training Officer and Personnel Officer until he was selected as Chief of Staff until retirement in 1982. He was also a life member at the James E. Marshall American Legion Post #187, Winfield. He was a Master Parachutist, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Clusters and various other service medals. He was appointed Director of the WV Department of Veteran Affairs in 1983 by Governor John D. Rockefeller and served two additional terms under Governors Arch A. Moore, Jr., and Gaston Caperton. Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Jo Mellon Moon: his children, Jane Higgins (Marshall) of Richmond VA, Leslie Cardenas (John) of Dallas TX, and John William Moon Jr., (Kori) of Montgomery TX; seven grandsons, CPT Patrick Higgins of Belton TX, David Higgins of Richmond VA, Michael Cardenas of Coppell TX, Matthew Cardenas of Austin TX, CPT Andrew Moon (Amanda) of Harker Heights TX, and Ryan and Daniel Moon of Montgomery TX, and one great granddaughter, Allison May Moon. The visitation will be an hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Jacks funeral will be 11:00am Wednesday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane WV with Rev. David Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Rosehill Burial Park, 3801 13th Street, Ashland, KY with military honors. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made in Jacks name to; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 / woundedwarriorproject.org or HospiceCare 1606 Kanawha Blvd W, Charleston, WV 25387 / www.hospicecarewv.org/make-donation. Anyone wishing to leave an online condolence or memory may do so at: www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com Chapman Funeral Home 3941 Teays Valley Road Hurricane WV 25526 is honored to handle Jack’s arrangements.