James Reece Dundee Moffatt, who served as both Prosecutor and Village Attorney for the Village of Roslyn, passed away on May 6. He was 74.

Moffatt served as village attorney from 1986 to 1994. Prior to that, he was a village prosecutor, serving from 1970 to 1984. During that time, he was with the law firm of Bracken and Sutter of Mineola and later, Sutter, Moffatt, Yanelli, and Zevin, serving as a partner. He was also sworn into the Supreme Court, often presenting court cases in Washington, DC, including representing air traffic controllers during their 1981 dispute with the federal government. Family members recall that he was well known for his work and regarded as an outstanding litigator and private criminal defense attorney.

At the time of his death, James Moffatt was a resident of Front Royal, VA. He was born in Knoxville, TN, and raised in Frankfort, KY, the son of Mary Martin and Dr. Fred T. Moffatt (of Dundee, Scotland), former pastor of the First Baptist Church in Frankfort, a noted preacher and author, member of the famous Black Watch regiment of Scotland and decorated POW hero during World War II.

James Moffatt earned a BA (philosophy) in 1952 and a LLB (law) in 1958 from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. During this time he was also a noted actor appearing in the original productions of The Common Glory (lead role of Patrick Henry) and The Founders (lead role of John Rolfe). He also taught English and philosophy at Southern Seminary and Junior College in Buena Vista, VA. He began a dramatic career early in high school, placing first in the Kentucky Dramatic Declamation Contest for two years. At Washington and Lee University young Moffatt was given the Troubadour Theatre's Best Actor Award and later continued his acting career in various Off-Broadway roles in New York.

In addition, Moffatt gained second place in the National Forensic Meet for high school students. At age 17, "Jim" Moffatt was International President of the Kiwanis Key Clubs, touring the US and Canada addressing youth. He stated objectives as to develop initiative, originality, served the schools and as a goal emphasized preparedness for useful citizenship in a realistic world. He often declared: "Now is the time for Kiwanis to sponsor Key Clubs in a world full of grief. Now is the time to give youth the necessary training for such a world."

It was during his double interest in law and the theater when he met his leading lady, June Elizabeth Deakins, who played the female lead of Pocahontas in The Founders. They wed on Sept. 11, 1954 in Port Washington. Together they were devoted to community leadership. In the Village of Roslyn, they worked on the Planning Board, the Landmark Society, the Historical Preservation Society, and Trinity Episcopal Church, among others. The late June Moffatt was a former drama director and teacher at Roslyn High School and the Royal Crown Players.

In Korea, with the US Army Military Police Corps, Moffatt received several battle honors including the Korean Service Medal with two battle stars. Among other honors, he was named a Kentucky Colonel. As a philosopher in his later years, he turned to poetry and placed third in a national competition of original works (Oh, Dreary World) and continued to write until his death.

James Moffatt was preceded in death on April 19, 1989 by his wife of 35 years, June Deakins Moffatt of Roslyn. His father and mother, Dr. Fred T. Moffatt and Mary Martin Moffatt of Frankfort, KY, and brother John W. Moffatt of Lexington, KY also preceded him in death. His passing is mourned by his daughter Victoria Kate (Moffatt) Gorecki; his son James Andrew Moffatt; son-in-law Henry Phillip Gorecki of Front Royal, VA; his brother Dr. Fred T. Moffatt Jr. and sister-in-law Jane Moffatt of Shelbyville, KY; cousins Mary Jane and Vilis Auns of Winthrop, ME; his nieces, nephews and their families, Mary Jane (Moffatt) and Joseph Yates of Shelbyville and Chip Snipes her son, Bruce and Sandy Moffatt of Westminster, MD, Kristine (Auns) and Justin Oliver and their son Jackson of Norwell, MA and Andrew Auns of Dallas, TX.

The memorial service will take place on June 29 at 3 p.m. at the Old Post Chapel, Ft. Meyer immediately followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery, in the Columbarium, Arlington, VA. Those attending the service are to assemble at the main gates, Memorial Drive, of Arlington National Cemetery, by 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to assist other veterans in need. Donations can be made to The James R. Moffatt Memorial Account, VA Medical Center, Voluntary Services, 510 Butler Ave., Martinsburg, WV 25401.