NATCHEZ – Services for Joseph Samuel “Joe Sam” Moritz Sr., 88, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Zabron A. Davis III officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from noon until service time Sunday at Kuehnle Hall.
Mr. Moritz was born Dec. 3, 1919, in Natchez, the son of Bernard Eugene Moritz and Rosa Gwin Swayze Moritz.
As a lifelong resident of Natchez, he was a 1938 graduate of Natchez High School. He served in World War II in the 91st Infantry Division of General Mark Clark’s 5th Army in the Italian Campaign and was the recipient of a number of awards, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge First Award and Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II.
Mr. Moritz was employed as general manager of Enochs Lumber Company and manager of the Natchez TV cable company for Sammons Communications.
As an active member of the community in civic affairs, Mr. Moritz was a Natchez city alderman for 12 years, president of the Natchez Kiwanis Club and was a member for over 60 years, Commander of American Legion Post 4, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the 40+8. He was a member and former vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church.
An avid lifelong golfer, he was the 1st Flight winner of the 1955 City Tournament at Duncan Park, 2nd Flight runner-up in 1960 Natipco Country Club, 1956 Medalists at Natipco Country Club and winner of the 1971 Belwood Country Club Championship Flight consolation.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; two brothers; and one great-granddaughter.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Stewart Enochs Moritz; two sons, The Rev. B. Eugene Moritz III of Richmond, Va., and Joe Sam Moritz Jr. of Tempe, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Jennine Moritz Sherrill of Richmond and Eugene Stewart Moritz of Akron, Ohio; five great-grandchildren; two nieces, Edith Rose Golmon of Natchez and Mary Lou Knox of Charlotte, N.C.; and one nephew, Sam Burns Jr. of Terry.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bruce Kuehnle, Dr. Clifford Tillman, Bill Kennon, Premo Stallone Jr., Ron Gaudet, Blake Wadsworth, Bill Stein, James Rehms, Bernard Tradewell and Bill Gore.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Trinity Episcopal Church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.