Joseph Frank Moser
September 13, 1921 - December 02, 2015
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Joseph Frank Moser
September 13, 1921 - December 02, 2015
Obituary
Dad, brother, uncle, Papa, U.S. Army Air Corp Captain Joseph F. Moser died peacefully at home December 2, 2015 surrounded by family in his hometown of Ferndale WA.
Born to Joseph Moser and Mary Imhof on September 13, 1921 of Ferndale, Joe was married to the love of his life Beatrice Jean for 67 years before her passing in 2013. Joe and Jean created and nurtured a family of five children, Janet Christie of Ferndale WA, Joyce Lorenz (Bill) of Twisp WA, Julie Hanes (Albert) of Winthrop, WA, Joseph Jr. (Cheryl) Moser, Bellingham, Jaleen Bacon (Steve) of Ferndale, WA., seven awesome grandchildren, and 7.5 great grandchildren.
Dad answered his calling to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corp where he got to fly his beloved P38 Lightning with the 429th Fighter Squadron of the 474th Fighter Group. He was shot down on his 44th mission over France and held in Buchenwald Concentration Camp for two months before being sent to Stalag Luft III, a POW camp. He returned home to Ferndale the summer of 1945 and met and married Jean in 1946. He worked for Holland Furnace, Van’s Sheet Metal, and then retired from Andgar Corporation of Lynden in 1986.
In his life he was active playing and coaching baseball and bowled on numerous leagues. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, farming and gardening where he grew fabulous corn and gorgeous dahlias. His garden in Ferndale was the feeding grounds of many local deer. He was a member of the 4th Corner Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, a member of the KLB Club and the P-38 Association, and a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden and Ferndale. After 65 years he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at McChord Air Force Base he earned in battle in 1944. In the summer of 2010 Dad was asked to throw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game. At the 2012 Veterans Day celebration at CenturyLink Field, Dad was honored to raise the 12th man flag. This year he received from France, The National Order of the Legion of Honour medal and he was also the first person profiled for “Washington Remembers: Their Sacrifice, Our Freedom”, an exhibit of WWII veterans put together by the Office of the Secretary of State. He was also recently the Blossomtime Parade Grand Marshall in Bellingham, WA.
He will be remembered by countless students as he told them his story and to remind them that “Freedom is not Free” and for his love of the American Flag. The family would like to thank Dad’s cousin Frank Imhof who introduced Gerald Baron to Dad who wrote his story “A Fighter Pilot in Buchenwald: the Joe Moser Story” and then to Mike Dorsey who directed the documentary “Lost Airmen of Buchenwald”. Many thanks to Home Attendant Care employees, Kathy and Tomas for their loving care of our hero and dad, Captain Joe, and Whatcom Hospice for making it possible for him to stay at home.
In lieu of flowers you may make donations to Bravo 369 Flight Foundation to benefit of the Joe Moser Scholarship Fund. (P.O. Box 2933 Ferndale, WA 98248) or to Whatcom Hospice.
A Rosary Service will be held Thursday, December 10, 2015, beginning at 7pm at Moles – Downtown Ferndale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ferndale, Friday, December 11, 2015 at 11am, followed by a graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery, in Ferndale, WA. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, beginning at 11am at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center, 2007 Cherry St, in Ferndale, WA..
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 1, 1970 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Pioneer Pavillion Community Center
- Location: 2007 Cherry St Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)
Prayer Service
- Date & Time: December 11, 2015 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Ferndale Moles
- Location: 2039 Main Street Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 38-4-1391
Burial
- Date & Time: December 11, 2015 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: St Josephs Catholic Church
- Location: 5781 Hendrickson Avenue Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 38-4-3651
9 responses to Joseph Frank Moser
BJ says:
December 2, 2015
To The Family, I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. I also want to share the comfort of John 5:28,29 where we are promised that those who have fallen asleep in death have the hope of receiving a “resurrection” back to life. Life on an earth restored to a beautiful paradise. Psalms 37:11 says, “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” While we await that wonderful time please find comfort in these promises. www.JW.org
Michele Batchelor says:
December 2, 2015
So very sorry for your loss!!! I felt so privaledged to know your Mom and Dad! It was an honor to be a caregiver for your parents. I remember them dearly. I still remember when I was working for them, and my son came to see your dad after reading his book, and getting an A in a report on his book!
My Sincere condolences,
Michele Batchelor-Downard
Shelly Dubois says:
December 2, 2015
Just no he has just gone home. So sorry for your loss of a dear man. It has been a honor to have done his hair all thee years.
Diane Lind says:
December 2, 2015
I’m fairly new to the Northwest and I learned about Joe after visiting Pioneer Park and seeing the newspaper articles about his WWII service in the cabin devoted to the U.S. Military. I then read his book and knew I would like to meet him. One day while waiting in line at Haggen’s in the dining area, I recognized Joe from the photos in the book. I found myself tearing up and after composing myself, I went over to him and asked, “Excuse me, are you Joe Moser?””Yes,” he answered. I told him I just read the book and asked if we could have a conversation over coffee soon. We met one afternoon and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to ask him some questions, have my book signed and meet this humble gentle human being. He told me he missed his wife so much but had family and friends close by and that was comforting to hear. I asked Joe if his book was in the Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum Shop and he said he did not know. I called the museum and was told they were unaware of this story and would look into it.
I send my best regards to the family. Thank you for all the wonderful memorabilia displayed on Saturday, the personal stories and letters. He will always be in our hearts.
Craig Lang says:
December 2, 2015
It was an honor knowing Joe and his commitment to our country, friendliness to all, and especially his gift of inspiring young people. He was a giant of a man! Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Craig Lang
BRAVO 369 Flight Foundation