John Kelly Moore

The Honorable John Kelly Moore

September 27, 1939 – January 23, 2025

A true blessing to us all. John’s kind, positive, genuine spirit made us better people. He served his family, country, and community as a model of integrity and hard work. A strong believer in education, he was proud to see all his grandchildren graduate from college. John passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children.

Born September 27, 1939, in New London, CT, John grew up in various places around the country as the son of a Coast Guard Admiral. He spent time in Cleveland, Ohio; Chevy Chase, MD; Fairfield, CT; and Norfolk, VA. John fondly remembered visiting family in Montauk and Greenport, NY.

John graduated from Granby High School in 1957 and Virginia Military Institute, class of 1961, with a BS in Civil Engineering. He was a Commissioned Officer with the United States Army (82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC (1961-1963), and received orders to Vietnam to serve as an Infantry Advisor (1963-1964). John was awarded a Bronze Star for his contribution to ground operations. After deciding on a career change, he passed the LSAT while sick in Vietnam and was accepted to Georgetown Law school, graduating in 1967.

He practiced law in Virginia Beach for 13 years and was a member of the American Bar Association- Judicial Administration Section, Virginia State Bar, and Virginia Beach Bar Association, serving as President in 1976.

In 1980 John was appointed a Judge in the Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court until 1985 (Chief Judge from 1982-1984). In 1985, he was appointed a Judge in the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia and stayed on the bench until January 2000.

After retiring, John and his wife Linda moved to Venice, Florida. John was elected to the Venice City Council from 2002-2011 and was Vice-Mayor for two terms. They loved the warm Florida weather and traveled extensively.

John enjoyed sailing, hunting, skiing, and dancing in his younger years. In his later years, he carved small pocket crosses and gave them to family members and friends with a thoughtful note. We will cherish so many wonderful family memories of ski trips, holidays, time at the beach, weddings and just being together.

He was predeceased by his parents Harold Conklin Moore and Elinore Kelly Moore, his older brother Harold “Happy” Conklin Moore and a granddaughter, Haley Hannah Zahnd.

John is survived by his wife Linda of 50 years, sons John Kelly Moore, Jr (Jack) (wife Elizabeth and daughter Rachel), Michael Etheredge Moore (wife Elizabeth and sons Ridge, Cole, and Drew) and Catherine Barry Zahnd (husband Rolf and daughters Gracie and Lucy).

John loved life and was an amazing Husband, Father, Grandfather, Veteran, Judge, Friend, and Citizen.

A Memorial Service and reception will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Venice, FL at 11:00 am. Livestream at www.goodshepherdvenicefl.org. Interment at Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach on February 11, at 11:00 am with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, or Tidewell Hospice.