Col. Olin Joel Moore, US Army Retired, 89, of Dewy Rose, GA, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2025 at his home.
Born on May 18, 1935 in Centerville Community, Elbert Co, GA, he was the son of the late Olin Alexander Moore and Marzette Gunnells Moore. Joel graduated as valedictorian from the 1953 hart county high school class. After graduation he attended North Georgia College (Now UNG), in Dahlonega.

In 1954 Joel obtained his congressional appointment to attend the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point and left North Georgia behind. Joel walked the long grey line and graduated in 1958 and earned his commission as a second lieutenant, in the infantry. Joel went on to serve in Okinawa, Japan before returning to serve at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina where he met a recent college graduate named Lucy Tucker. She wouldn't leave his side during their sixty years of marriage.

Joel earned the prestigious Ranger patch and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, during which he earned two Bronze Stars. The latter tour in 1968 with the 1st Infantry Division in Lai Khê, Vietnam, during the final stages of the NVA's infamous Tet Offensive.

Joel returned and served at numerous posts across the United States, as well as earning a Master's degree from George Washington University. His final post was in Washington DC, where he served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Joel retired as a Colonel in 1980 and purchased a farm in Georgia where he enjoyed raising cattle with his sons and grandson. Not one to sit idle, Joel taught ROTC at Westside High School in Anderson, SC, from 1984-1994, and was elected as commissioner for District Five, Hart County, Georgia in during 1995-1999, and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Liberty Congregational Church, which was founded by his great-grandfather, Moses Fleming in 1878. Joel had been involved in the Gideons International, Hart Co. Camp, since 1992 as well as Sons of the American Revolution. Joel was an American patriot, leader, husband, and devoted Christian.

Joel was preceded in death by an older sister Martha Moore Dickerson and brother-in-law Neal Dickerson.

Left to cherish his memory are sons: Thomas (Sonya), of Dewy Rose, Georgia and William (Natasha) of Nashville, Tennessee. Five grandchildren: Ashleigh, Alex, Duncan, Ian and Ana. Nieces and nephews: Kathy (Mike), Joel (Amy) and Bill (Toni).

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Liberty Congregational Church Sanctuary. Other times the family will be at the home.

Graveside services with full military honors for Col. Joel Moore will be held Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Liberty Congregational Church Cemetery with Rev. Carter Tucker and Rev. Billy Walker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Gideons International, Hart Co. Camp, P.O. Box 59, or the Liberty Congregational Church c/o Mason Pierce, 12 Cheyenne Dr, Dewy Rose, GA 30634.

The Moore family wishes to extended appreciation and gratitude to the caretakers and hospice care who stood by Joel during the final days.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.