Gerald Preston Moore

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Gerald Preston Moore, 81, Nevada, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 5, 2008, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, in Joplin, following a lengthy illness. He was born April 18, 1926, in Criner, Okla., to Harry Arthur Moore and Letha Eloise Galley Moore. He married Twila Rose Hendrix on Sept. 21, 1946, in Fort Scott, and she survives of the home.

When Gerald was young, he lived in Western Oklahoma. Gerald's family came to this area to the family farm south of Nevada, in December 1939. He graduated from Bronaugh High School, in 1943. Gerald entered the United States Navy, in October 1944; trained in Great Lakes, Ill.; served in Hawaii, the Marshalls, Carolinas, Philippines, Okinawa, China, and Japan. He was awarded Asiatic Pacific, American Theatre and Philippine Liberation Ribbons and the Victory Medal. He was discharged in May 1946. Gerald made his living farming. He worked on the railroad for a short time, also worked on the Nevada Square at Johannes Hardware. He operated a gas station, worked for a trailer manufacturing plant and then 12 years for Yeager Wholesale Warehouse. Gerald retired in 1989 from the city of Nevada. He, along with his father and brother, at one time, raised Charolais cattle. After he retired, Gerald was a volunteer driver for the Cancer Relief Fund. He spent his retirement years helping others. He made weekly visits to local nursing homes. He was an active member of the Nevada Church of Christ. Gerald, along with his friend Tim Smith, carried on a jail ministry. His hobbies include collecting old Ford pickups and spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed driving and his annual family vacation.

Surviving of the home his beloved wife of 61 years, Twila Hendrix Moore; two sons, Jerry L. Moore and his wife, Rayna, Glenview, Ill., Carl P. Moore and his wife, Judy, Nevada; two daughters, Joy Moore and Vicki Hensley and her husband, Roger, Nevada; nine grandchildren, Eric Moore and his wife, Gloria, of Illinois, Nicole Moore, of Illinois, Kristi Hensley, of St. Louis, Jeremy Hensley, Jered Moore, Kizzi Pace and her husband, Josh, Bradley and Caryl J. "C.J." Moore, all of Nevada, Katie Yockey and her husband, Jeremy, of Milo; ten great-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold C. Moore, of Nevada; one sister-in-law, Nadine Moore, of Nevada, and three nieces. He leaves a host of friends and numerous young friends who call him Grandpa. He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandson, Jered E. Moore Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Ferry Funeral Home, with Danny Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday evening, Jan. 9, at the funeral home.