Known for his service to country, county and community, Dixie visited with this highly respected citizen as he prepares to head to California for a special occasion.

He opened the first Western Slope FBI Office, was a county judge and a state senior judge and now at 96, Judge Harold Moss has been summoned by the FBI, this time, for a very important honor.  Not bad for a Hannibal Missouri Farm boy!

“Went to a one room school with four brothers," said Judge Moss, recalling his early life in Missouri.  Eventually, his family settled in north Denver.  "House is still there.”

Next, college, a business to pay for it, and his true love Ruth.

“My brother and I opened an egg business. I was working on my law degree at that time.”

Passing the bar, starting a new job and a sudden change of plans.

“December 7th, 1941 was Pearl Harbor and there was no way that you were going to continue in law school then.

Moss had a choice between the armed forces and the FBI and elected for the latter.  He says the training was very intense.  He missed Denver, though and was eventually able to be reassigned to the city. 

After working in Denver for a while, Moss visited Grand Junction and loved it.  Because of the Uranium Boom, the need soon existed for an FBI office on the Western Slope.  And Moss was the man to make it happen. 

“Finally established a resident agency for them here in Grand Junction.”

From FBI retiree to successful write in candidate for Mesa County Judge, another retirement, another job– all while Harold and Ruth kept active in their community.

“To keep you going … I don’t think I could sit around doing nothing.”

Many awards and expressions of thanks came over the years, but the judge wasn’t prepared for the FBI lifetime achievement award to be presented to him by the Director of the FBI. 

Strength of character is evident as he copes with recent deep losses and the soon to be acceptance of The FBI’s Former Agent’s Lou Peters Award.

Lauri Longstrom Hendersen with Mesa View Independent Senior Living Center says having Judge Moss living there is like…

“It’s like having a celebrity here. He’s wonderful here and everybody loves him. We’re proud to have him as a resident.

What an inspiration it is to sit and talk with a true community icon.  

Congratulations to Judge Moss and we wish him a wonderful trip as he prepares to receive the Louis E. Peters Award from the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

Judge will be heading to San Diego to accept the prestigious FBI award with his two sons.  Speaking at the ceremony?  None other than former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.