James I. Moyer
Known to Salemites as Mayor Moyer, James Irvine Moyer was a 1923 graduate of Salem High School where it was noted he was one of the best debaters on the Debate Team. He also belonged to the Athletic Association and played basketball. In later years, till his death on November 16, 1990, he was more familiarly known as Jim, and for 16 years as Mayor James I. Moyer.
His commitment to community is attested to by the 43 years Jim served as Sunday School teacher at Salem Baptist Church, the 29 years he played “Filebuster” in the Lions Club minstrel show, and the 18 years he served on the Salem Town Council. Moyer worked hard to get Little League teams started in Salem and to bring the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team to Salem. he served as Chairman of the Civic Center Commission to erect a building and after twelve years, on October 6, 1967, his dream came true--the Salem-Roanoke County Civic Center was dedicated on that date. No wonder Salem’s 4-field softball center was named the Moyer Sports Complex.
To prepare for this life of dedication to community, Moyer took a two-year pre-law course at Roanoke College, followed by a year at Northwestern University and two years at the University of Chicago Law School where he received his degree. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar in February of 1993, from which he received a 50-year Certificate in 1983. After serving as Judge of Roanoke County Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, in 1974 he returned to the practice of law (part time) with Dodson, Pence, Viar, Young, and Woodrum Law Offices.
Jim was married to Francis Moyer who predeceased him. His Marriage to Martha B. Moyer gave him two stepdaughters: Penny Stallins and Judy Stallins (deceased).
In 1942, Moyer served in the State Guard as Corporal, located in Garrett Park, Maryland. He served as President of the Roanoke County Bar Association in 1942-43 and in 1958 as the President of the Virginia Municipal League. Jim was a founder and Past President of the Salem Lions Club, which named him “Lion of the Year” in 1961. In 1964, the Salem Rotary Club conferred on James I. Moyer its “Outstanding Citizen Award” and in 1973 a similar award--”Good Citizen”-- was presented to him by the Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. Jim also was recognized for his leadership when appointed to the Board of Directors of Farmers National Bank in Salem.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, James Irvine Moyer was among the charter members inducted into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association in 1996.
