Joseph Baller Moore of 1302 Marshall spent 51 years of his life in railroading and became one of Southern Pacific Lines most beloved and well-known conductors.
In fact, when he chose his career and began work in Galveston for the Santa Fe Railway as a passenger brakeman in 1886, he said he "made up his mind to have lots of friends," and that's what "Uncle Joe" – as he was affectionately known – did.
Uncle Joe was spry and alert and a familiar figure downtown strolling along with his cane until just a few months ago.
Retired in 1937
He died yesterday in a Houston hospital after a stroke which occurred last Friday. He was 89.
Although he retired in 1937 from many years as a conductor on the Houston to Shreveport run, Mr. Moore continued his interest in Southern Pacific.
He was the "exception" when S-P's annual luncheon honored its executives. He was always an invited guest.
Interest in Masons
On such an occasion in 1952, he and a retired engineer, W. F. Rentzel of Nacogdoches, got to reminiscing and Mr. Rentzel recalled that Uncle Joe had so many friends who met him at every depot on the Houston-Shreveport run that he had to threaten to "leave him behind" unless he came running when the whistle blew.
Along with railroading, the Masonic order was the other main interest of Uncle Joe's life.
He was a life member of Holland Lodge No. 1, AF&AM, - given for 50 years' active membership, belonged to Washington Chapter No. 2, RAM, Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select masons, Ruthvin Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, Texas Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies in Galveston, Arabia Temple and Houston Chapter of the Rose Croix.
Here 58 Years
The veteran conductor had been a Houstonian for 58 years. He also belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, No. 7.
He joined Southern pacific in 1897 as a conductor and was given Passenger run the following year. His career also covered service in Mexico and several other railroads in Texas. In 1906, he was appointed train inspector.
Mr. Moore was born Dec. 30, 1866 in Navasota.
His wife was the former Anna Belle Cook of Bonham who died in 1947.
Survivors are a daughter, Anna Belle Moore, Houston; sons George G. and Joe H. Moore, both with Pan-American Southern Oil Co. in El Dorado, Ark; grandchildren, Sister Mary Humberline, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hot Springs, J. B. Moore II and Mrs. Leonard Green, all of El Dorado; three great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the drawing room Holland Lodge. Burial was to be in Forest Park Cemetery with active pallbearers from the lodge.
Honorary escort was to be members of Ruthvin Commandery, No. 2 Knights Templar.
In fact, when he chose his career and began work in Galveston for the Santa Fe Railway as a passenger brakeman in 1886, he said he "made up his mind to have lots of friends," and that's what "Uncle Joe" – as he was affectionately known – did.
Uncle Joe was spry and alert and a familiar figure downtown strolling along with his cane until just a few months ago.
Retired in 1937
He died yesterday in a Houston hospital after a stroke which occurred last Friday. He was 89.
Although he retired in 1937 from many years as a conductor on the Houston to Shreveport run, Mr. Moore continued his interest in Southern Pacific.
He was the "exception" when S-P's annual luncheon honored its executives. He was always an invited guest.
Interest in Masons
On such an occasion in 1952, he and a retired engineer, W. F. Rentzel of Nacogdoches, got to reminiscing and Mr. Rentzel recalled that Uncle Joe had so many friends who met him at every depot on the Houston-Shreveport run that he had to threaten to "leave him behind" unless he came running when the whistle blew.
Along with railroading, the Masonic order was the other main interest of Uncle Joe's life.
He was a life member of Holland Lodge No. 1, AF&AM, - given for 50 years' active membership, belonged to Washington Chapter No. 2, RAM, Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select masons, Ruthvin Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, Texas Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies in Galveston, Arabia Temple and Houston Chapter of the Rose Croix.
Here 58 Years
The veteran conductor had been a Houstonian for 58 years. He also belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, No. 7.
He joined Southern pacific in 1897 as a conductor and was given Passenger run the following year. His career also covered service in Mexico and several other railroads in Texas. In 1906, he was appointed train inspector.
Mr. Moore was born Dec. 30, 1866 in Navasota.
His wife was the former Anna Belle Cook of Bonham who died in 1947.
Survivors are a daughter, Anna Belle Moore, Houston; sons George G. and Joe H. Moore, both with Pan-American Southern Oil Co. in El Dorado, Ark; grandchildren, Sister Mary Humberline, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hot Springs, J. B. Moore II and Mrs. Leonard Green, all of El Dorado; three great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the drawing room Holland Lodge. Burial was to be in Forest Park Cemetery with active pallbearers from the lodge.
Honorary escort was to be members of Ruthvin Commandery, No. 2 Knights Templar.
Joseph Baller Moore of 1302 Marshall spent 51 years of his life in railroading and became one of Southern Pacific Lines most beloved and well-known conductors.
In fact, when he chose his career and began work in Galveston for the Santa Fe Railway as a passenger brakeman in 1886, he said he "made up his mind to have lots of friends," and that's what "Uncle Joe" – as he was affectionately known – did.
Uncle Joe was spry and alert and a familiar figure downtown strolling along with his cane until just a few months ago.
Retired in 1937
He died yesterday in a Houston hospital after a stroke which occurred last Friday. He was 89.
Although he retired in 1937 from many years as a conductor on the Houston to Shreveport run, Mr. Moore continued his interest in Southern Pacific.
He was the "exception" when S-P's annual luncheon honored its executives. He was always an invited guest.
Interest in Masons
On such an occasion in 1952, he and a retired engineer, W. F. Rentzel of Nacogdoches, got to reminiscing and Mr. Rentzel recalled that Uncle Joe had so many friends who met him at every depot on the Houston-Shreveport run that he had to threaten to "leave him behind" unless he came running when the whistle blew.
Along with railroading, the Masonic order was the other main interest of Uncle Joe's life.
He was a life member of Holland Lodge No. 1, AF&AM, - given for 50 years' active membership, belonged to Washington Chapter No. 2, RAM, Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select masons, Ruthvin Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, Texas Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies in Galveston, Arabia Temple and Houston Chapter of the Rose Croix.
Here 58 Years
The veteran conductor had been a Houstonian for 58 years. He also belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, No. 7.
He joined Southern pacific in 1897 as a conductor and was given Passenger run the following year. His career also covered service in Mexico and several other railroads in Texas. In 1906, he was appointed train inspector.
Mr. Moore was born Dec. 30, 1866 in Navasota.
His wife was the former Anna Belle Cook of Bonham who died in 1947.
Survivors are a daughter, Anna Belle Moore, Houston; sons George G. and Joe H. Moore, both with Pan-American Southern Oil Co. in El Dorado, Ark; grandchildren, Sister Mary Humberline, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hot Springs, J. B. Moore II and Mrs. Leonard Green, all of El Dorado; three great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the drawing room Holland Lodge. Burial was to be in Forest Park Cemetery with active pallbearers from the lodge.
Honorary escort was to be members of Ruthvin Commandery, No. 2 Knights Templar.
In fact, when he chose his career and began work in Galveston for the Santa Fe Railway as a passenger brakeman in 1886, he said he "made up his mind to have lots of friends," and that's what "Uncle Joe" – as he was affectionately known – did.
Uncle Joe was spry and alert and a familiar figure downtown strolling along with his cane until just a few months ago.
Retired in 1937
He died yesterday in a Houston hospital after a stroke which occurred last Friday. He was 89.
Although he retired in 1937 from many years as a conductor on the Houston to Shreveport run, Mr. Moore continued his interest in Southern Pacific.
He was the "exception" when S-P's annual luncheon honored its executives. He was always an invited guest.
Interest in Masons
On such an occasion in 1952, he and a retired engineer, W. F. Rentzel of Nacogdoches, got to reminiscing and Mr. Rentzel recalled that Uncle Joe had so many friends who met him at every depot on the Houston-Shreveport run that he had to threaten to "leave him behind" unless he came running when the whistle blew.
Along with railroading, the Masonic order was the other main interest of Uncle Joe's life.
He was a life member of Holland Lodge No. 1, AF&AM, - given for 50 years' active membership, belonged to Washington Chapter No. 2, RAM, Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select masons, Ruthvin Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, Texas Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies in Galveston, Arabia Temple and Houston Chapter of the Rose Croix.
Here 58 Years
The veteran conductor had been a Houstonian for 58 years. He also belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, No. 7.
He joined Southern pacific in 1897 as a conductor and was given Passenger run the following year. His career also covered service in Mexico and several other railroads in Texas. In 1906, he was appointed train inspector.
Mr. Moore was born Dec. 30, 1866 in Navasota.
His wife was the former Anna Belle Cook of Bonham who died in 1947.
Survivors are a daughter, Anna Belle Moore, Houston; sons George G. and Joe H. Moore, both with Pan-American Southern Oil Co. in El Dorado, Ark; grandchildren, Sister Mary Humberline, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hot Springs, J. B. Moore II and Mrs. Leonard Green, all of El Dorado; three great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the drawing room Holland Lodge. Burial was to be in Forest Park Cemetery with active pallbearers from the lodge.
Honorary escort was to be members of Ruthvin Commandery, No. 2 Knights Templar.
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