Los Angeles
County
Biographies
JOHN R. MORAN
John
R. Moran began his phenomenal business career in 1939, when he opened his first
curtain and drapery store in Alhambra.
His brother, Fred S. Moran, was also associated in opening the business
venture. Their combined capital amounted
to $150.00, of which $75.00 was borrowed from their mother. This original investment with which they
opened their first store in Alhambra has been expanded by hard work, prudent
management and progressive ideas, which led to the opening of ten stores
stocked with merchandise valued at more than a half million dollars. In 1939 the two brothers operated the Moran
Drapery Store alone; now twenty-two years later, seventy people are employed in
the stores which are located in Alhambra, Temple City, Eastland Shopping Center
in West Covina, Reseda, Pomona Valley Shopping Center, Riverside Plaza,
Whittier, Huntington Park, Redondo Beach and West Covina. The Moran Drapery Warehouse Store is located at
4627 Huntington Drive in El Sereno.
The
warehouse is stocked with the finest fabrics, carpets and decorating
accessories, which combined with excellent workmanship on custom-made draperies,
curtains and slipcovers and by courteous service, prompt delivery and an
outstanding decorator service, the business has grown into an organization
which is doing a gross business of more than one and one-half million dollars
annually.
John
R. Moran was born on October 10, 1910, in Minthill
Missouri. He was one of ten children,
seven boys and three girls, of Frank Moran and Matilda (Stoner) Moran. In 1916 his father moved the family to Kansas
City, Missouri, where they made their home for fourteen years prior to coming
to California in 1930. Nine of the Moran
children reside in the San Gabriel Valley, and one remained in Kansas
City. Mr. Moran’s father passed away in
1938; his mother passed away in 1951.
Educated
at the Mt. Washington Grade School and the North East High School in Kansas
City, Missouri, Mr. Moran began his career in the curtain and drapery industry
in Los Angeles in 1930. Working for
seven years in his chosen field allowed him to gain valuable experience which
was to assist him in later years in his own enterprise.
On
November 1, 1941, John R. Moran married the former Miss Lois L. Hodapp of Alhambra, in Saint Therese Catholic Church of
Alhambra. Mrs. Moran is one of seven
sisters, one of whom is deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Moran have five children: John
F., aged 19, a student at Santa Clara University; Dennis P., aged 18, a senior
at San Gabriel Mission High School; Michael J., aged 16, and Theresa Ann, aged
14, both of whom are students at San Gabriel Mission High School; and Timothy
D., aged 12, who attends Saint Therese Catholic Parochial School in Alhambra.
During
World War II, Mr. Moran served with the United States Army, as a private first
class, a fact in which he takes great pride.
He was honorably discharged from military service in 1945, after one
year, ten months and twenty-five days of service.
The
Moran family are active members of Saint Therese
Catholic Church. Mr. Moran has been
singing with the men’s choir for the past ten years. During 1948 and 1950 he served as president
of the Holy Name Society of the Church, and has actively participated as a
member for many years. Mr. Moran is one
of the few “Gallon Members” of the American Red Cross, an honor bestowed him
for having contributed more than a gallon of blood, for which he received a
certificate. He has been a member of the
Knights of Columbus for twenty-seven years, and a member of Alhambra BPOE Lodge
No. 1328, for thirteen years.
Interested
in the growth and proper development of Alhambra, where Mr. Moran has been in
business for twenty-two years, he was appointed to the Planning Commission of
the City of Alhambra by Mayor T. D’Arcy Quinn in 1955. Serving for five years in this capacity, Mr.
Moran resigned from the Planning Commission in July, 1961.
For
relaxation, personable Mr. Moran enjoys fishing, and a game or two of
golf. He also derives pleasure in
gardening.
Mr.
Moran is rightfully proud of his business which he and his brother have built
up over the past two decades. He has the
highest esteem for his family – his wife, Lois, his four sons and daughter.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 758-760, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES