Orus M Mooney Jr

Orus Martin Mooney Jr, known by friends and family as “Marty,” went to be with his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife Missy in Heaven the evening of April 25, 2026. He was 57 years old and passed peacefully in Galveston, TX, surrounded by his family.

Marty was a long-time resident of Galveston Island and an active member of the Jamaica Beach community.

Marty was born April 24, 1969 in Bridgeport, TX to Orus Martin Mooney II (Mart) and Linda Kay Freeman Mooney, and spent his childhood having wild adventures in the outdoors with his baby sister, Shanda, numerous family members, and friends. In his childhood, he proudly earned the nickname, “Tigger,” for his bouncy and always-positive nature. His close bond with his baby sister was lifelong, and he was beloved by all who met him. He was an avid member of Decatur FFA where he showed steers, rebuilt engines, and competed in welding. He played offensive tackle for the Decatur High School football team, wearing good old #77. In his teens, he came to be known as, “Mule,” for his large stature, physical strength, and tenacity, which carried into his adulthood. He went on to become an employee with BNSF Railway for over 20 years, where he was able to live out his childhood love of playing with trains.

He met and fell in love with Melissa Jean “Missy” Young from Era, TX. They were married on July 2, 1998. She was the love of his life and anyone who knew them could see the strong connection they shared. Missy had two sons, Bradley Dean and Ryan Anthony, who Marty loved and raised as his own, and together they had a third son, Wyatt Alexander.

Marty’s greatest joy was his family. In North Texas, he took his boys hunting and fishing and loved to sit around the fire telling tall tales. On the coast, he loved to bay fish and crack a cold one on the beach surrounded by his people. Marty was larger than life, and is deeply missed by his friends and family.

Marty was preceded in death by his father, Mart Mooney, and his beloved wife, Missy Mooney. He is survived by his son, Wyatt Mooney; his step sons and their wives, Brad & Emily Hennigan, Ryan & Jody Hennigan; his beloved grandchildren, Cooper Dean, Charlotte, Finley, Cooper Knox, Hunter, and Farrah; his mother, Linda Kay Mooney; his sister & brother-in-law Shanda and Derek DeWitt; his brother-in-law Jeff and wife Charlotte Young, and many nieces and nephews.

Giant - a tribute to Uncle Marty                                                                                             By Bethany Morson

a cigarette scented kiss on my cheek

a hug stronger than i thought you could squeeze

a laugh so loud it could shake a whole house                                                                            a heart so gentle that you wouldn’t hurt a mouse                                                                      a strong spirit filled with love and fierce pride                                                                      these are some things that i miss since you died