Joel Ford Moon, age 69, passed peacefully into the presence of God and a heavenly host of beloved friends and family on September 2, 2025.
He was a loving husband, a present and proud father, and the happiest “Pa” to his two grandchildren. Joel was joy personified. When he entered a room, laughter and light followed, and people felt genuinely seen, heard, and loved. His life was defined by delight in others, a teacher’s spirit, a deep faith, and a love of the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hiking with his wife and son, skiing, spending time near the ocean, and playing soccer and disc golf. He also loved watching the Auburn Tigers and the Brasilian National futebol team.
Joel was born on June 10, 1956, in Manaus Brasil, to American missionaries Loyd and Mary Hazel Moon. Joel grew up exploring the Amazon rainforest with his brothers, sparking an adventurous spirit and a lifelong love of nature.
Returning to the US for college, Joel soon met Beth Cornelius on a blind date arranged by friends at an Audubon Society meeting. Their deep love grew quickly as they married 8 months later on July 15, 1978. Joel pursued his passion for nature, earning a degree in Forestry Engineering from Auburn University in 1982, and they welcomed their son Timmy that same year.
Joel worked as a forester for 40 years in Georgia and Alabama, where he was known for his integrity, expertise, and advocacy for responsible land management. For three decades he taught elementary school students about forest stewardship through the Forestry Awareness Week Now (FAWN) program, leaving a legacy of education and care for creation. In 2015, he began serving as Executive Director of the Logger’s Council with the Alabama Forestry Association, a role that wove together his love for forestry with his commitment to advocacy and education.
Outside of work, Joel’s life was rooted in family, community, and faith. He coached countless youth sports teams, including serving as junior varsity boys’ soccer coach at Cullman High School. An active member of his church, he spent many years mentoring young people through youth ministry and teaching a boys’ Bible study. His generosity of time and spirit shaped the lives of many who knew him. Joel and Beth are both teachers at heart, and this legacy has shaped numerous lives in the Cullman community. This legacy extends to their son and daughter-in-law, both professors at Texas Christian University.
Joel was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Beth Cornelius Moon; his brothers, Dr. James Loyd Moon and John William Moon; his sisters-in-law Susan LaRocca and Lecia Willingham; brothers-in-law Mark Cornelius and Mark Pate; his son, Dr. Timothy Andrew Lauve-Moon, and spouse Dr. Katherine Roberts Lauve-Moon; and his beloved grandsons, Moses Olivier Lauve-Moon and Elliot Harris Lauve-Moon.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Cullman on Saturday, September 6, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at noon, officiated by pastors Dr. Tom Richter and Wayne Cook.
Flowers may be sent to FBC Cullman, 501 2nd Ave SW, Cullman, AL 35055. (Local flower options: https://www.marysflowermarket.com/sympathy.php; https://www.burkesflorist.net/sympathy.php; https://www.blossomflowerdelivery.com/occasion/funeral/).
For those wishing to honor Joel’s life through a memorial gift, the family suggests the Joel Moon Memorial Fund through the Alabama Forestry Association (https://member.alaforestry.org/donations/donate.asp?id=25088).
