Résumé

James Crozier Moore III was one of a number of African-American architects practicing in Southern California during the post-war era. Like the piooneering Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980), Moore attended the architecture school at the University of Southern CA (USC), and developed a diverse practice. He died following an 18-year career in the profession.

Principal, James C. Moore, AIA, and Associates, Los Angeles, CA, 1978-1996. In 1989, Moore's firm employed five architects, one interior designer, and one administrative employee. In that year, 40% of its business was in commercial, office or retail design; 50% in housing; and 10% industrial. The firm did 100% of its work in CA. (See "James C. Moore, AIA, Architect," ProFile, The Official Directory of the American Institute of Architects, 1989-1990, Sixth Edition, Henry W. Schirmer, Publisher, [Topeka, KS: Archimedia, 1989], p. 99.)

A brief obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times.com that read: "James C. Moore III, 63, architect of commercial and residential structures across Southern California. A Pasadena native who studied at USC and served in the Air Force during the Korean War, Moore worked for several local architects before founding James C. Moore & Associates in 1979. His projects included the Gene Kelly home in Beverly Hills, several bank branches, the Fagan Medical Buildings, KJLH radio station, buildings for the Southern California Gas Company, and interiors for UC Irvine and UCLA. He had recently completed the Maxine Waters Skill Center and the Watts Library, which is scheduled to open June 29." (See Los Angeles Times.com, "James C. Moore III; Architects' Firm Founder," published 05/25/1996, accessed 10/15/2024.)

College

B.Arch., University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA.

Relocation

Moore lived with his family at 204 Sierra Bonita Street in Pasadena, CA, between at least 1940 and 1950.

Later in life, Moore resided on South Orlando Avenue in Los Angeles's South Carthay neighborhood.

Parents

His father, James Crozier Moore, Jr., (born c. 1897 in TN) worked as a postal clerk as per the 1940 US Census and a supervisor at the US Post Office in the 1950 Census.

Marion E. Carter (born c. 07/01/1902 in either KS or CO-d. 07/12/1996 in Los Angeles County, CA) was his mother. She wed James C. Moore, Jr., on 12/05/1930 in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California Department of Public Health, courtesy of www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com. Digital Images, accessed 10/15/2024.)

He had a younger sister Mary Margaret Moore (born c. 1935 in Los Angeles County, CA).

Spouse

James Moore III married Baunita F. Comfort on 08/24/1958 in Los Angeles County, CA. He was 25, she, 22. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information: California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1949-1959 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, accessed 10/15/2024.)