In Loving Memory of My Dad  Leroy C. Moats

Dad taught me...to Love my Mom. He had a special name for mom, he used to call her Sweet Pea, Honey. His name for me was Putt-putt because I would putt around the house making crafty messes. :) I was always busy doing something, knitting, crocheting, making necklaces, sewing. Dad's eyes lit up when he'd see my mom enter the room. I remember him buying her jewelry. He bought her black hills gold jewelry to wear and diamond earrings. He didn't buy her flowers, he showed his love for her in his faithfulness, integrity, honesty, he was hardworking, loving, supporting, caring, he was strong and dependable, trustworthy, he honored us daily by showing his Love for us.

Dad taught me...Not to bite! When I was little I bit my dad on the leg while he
was watching TV, and he slapped me away. smile. I quit biting.

Dad taught me... to Love Nature. Dad took us (me, Vickie, Ivan, Leroy and Mom and dog) camping in New Mexico. at Riodoso Mountains and Bottomless Lakes. Swimming
and pick nicking. He stayed up all night putting logs onto the fire so my mom wasn't afraid. Once we had to leave the coffee pot on the fire perking as we drove out in pouring rain!

Dad taught me.. my Multiplication tables. In 3rd grade I got an F on my report card and
didn't want my parents to know about it, so I signed the report card for them! Of course,
they found out and the Teacher said I'd need to repeat my year. My Dad stuck up for me, he said "I'll teach her multiplication and division this summer!" He spent time every night teaching me. Thanks Dad! 

He taught me... to love Animals and Be Kind to them. Roy loved dogs! We always had a dog growing up. Tricksie, Christopher(Cocker spaniel), Caesar, Pansy (Pekingese), Ginger, Gigi (White minature Poodle) Champy (Chocolate minature Poodle). Dad liked hummingbirds, bluejays, sparrows, and cats.

Dad taught me....to have a good time with family at dinner. Dad would make us breakfast for dinner. He'd stand at the stove and make four kids pancakes until we couldn't eat anymore! He enjoyed it so much, and we did too! Once the six of us had Hong Kong flu for a week, Dad bought us all steaks for dinner! It was great!

Dad taught me. .don't fight with your Sister! One night Vickie and I fought over who's turn it was to do the dishes. My Dad heard us and came in the Kitchen and said. "For one month you will wash and dry dishes by hand" he took the movable dishwasher and unplugged it! We decided not to fight after that. :) 

Dad taught me...to drive a car. He was a good teacher. He let me drive long distances on the highway and I had to keep the speed at 60 mph and not go above or below it.

Dad taught me.. security, safety, to check the oil and water in the car and check tires for air. Dad kept my cars working good. Each time I got a used car he'd fix it and check it, so I could drive home with the kids If I wanted.

Dad taught me.. he was dependable, If I had a problem, I called Dad and we'd talk it out.He had good advice and he always knew the answer, knew what to do in each situation. My health or whatever it was.

Dad taught me...Love, Dad gave me away at my wedding. When Tom asked to marry me, he told dad, "I will dig ditches if I have  to, to keep her" "she won't starve". Dad said ok. Later  on, Dad called Tom Son. He loved Tom and looked forward to their visits. When a Holiday was here he'd ask my Mom, "When is Tom coming?" smile.

Dad taught me ...to be proud! Dad came to see me be Baptizted. He drove me to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. My Dad knew everything! He knew tools and how to use and fix them.Cars, Electricity, how to build fences, paint houses inside and out, buff floors, do plumbing (faucets, and garbage disposals) he cut tree limbs with chainsaw, cut wood with his axe. He knew farm machinery. He grew up on a Dairy Farm. It was hard work, he never got a day off.

Dad taught me ...to like sports.  He went Deer Hunting, fishing. He used to Ice Skate. I never saw him Ice Skate. I would have loved to see him. Mom met him skating at a Roller Skating Rink, she said Dad was a good skater. Dad liked golf. I saw him hit golf balls. He would let us come with him and he would hit a bag of golf balls. He took us flying. Dad loved to fly single engine aircraft. He loved calculating the distance and clouds and weather and which way to fly. 

Dad taught me. .to work hard. Dad owned Roswell TV service and worked two jobs! Mom took the calls and Dad went on them at night after his regular job. My Dad was big and strong! Dad and Tom painted our home in Fremont, it was a big job. Dad also poured concrete in our yard to cut back on the weeds. We wrote our initials in the cement.

Dad taught me.. care for your brothers and sister. Dad would take us to the movie theatre and park in Roswell and we would stay all day. You could watch the movie over back then. And there was a swimming pool there. We would stay together and swim and play all day. Dad took us to the County Fair. He always bought Fireworks for us. When Mom was in hospital very sick, he cared for us. He let us polish our shoes and he lit sparklers INSIDE the kitchen. hee hee


Dad taught me...Halloween is fun. He set up a microphone in the house and when trick or treaters came he talked to them looking through a peep hole. He laughed alot over that one. On Friday nights he loved to watch Boxing. He loved Baseball and Golf. Now as an Adult, I still love watching Boxing, Baseball and Golf. (sorry football and basketball fans).

Dad taught me..to Love Music. In grade school Dad had a piano record he would play over and over on the stereo in the living room. As an Adult Dad would start playing Christmas Music from Nov. to Dec .He would spend hours taping the music from the radio station onto little tapes. He loved Christmas music and all the "oldies". When I was working at First Baptist church in Newark, I asked him to make me a tape to play while I was working. He did and I'd take it with me and play it everyday while I worked. Christmas music tells the story of Jesus Birth. and I like to feel that it brought Dad close to Jesus to hear the music .It was a comfort to him the year he was diagnosed with Cancer of the Colon and we all quit smoking. He was a colon cancer survivor
until his last years. He had Cancer of the Lung and Parkinson's Disease and COPD. Now whenever I hear Christmas Music, I think of my Dad. It brings me close to Dad knowing how much he loved it. He Loved the Red Baron and Snoopy. He also loved the Road Runner cartoon character. :)

Dad taught me...Love your Grandkids. When Marlena and James were young he gave them baths in the Kitchen sink. Dad was kind and gentle. Dad was funny! Recently Tom and I came for Easter. We stayed that week and the next. After Easter dad said "Debbie, how long are you staying?" LOL When we brought him home from the Hospital and Vickie and I were trying to hook up his air tube for him. He said "I was better off at the Hospital". Which just made us giggle the harder. 

Dad taught me.. Vacation. Dad and Mom let my kids come for a week each summer. One week for Marlena and one week for James. Dad would treat them to pancakes and sausage and hamburgers and milk shakes from Mc Donald's. He took them in the Motor home to the beach so they could play in the sand and water. He made their vacation special. He videoed both kids graduation day. He came to see us after they were born. Each time he came, he'd fix something. He'd help us somehow. 

Dad taught me...be Generous. Dad was generous with his Time, money, his Love, he was a Teacher and good at life lessons. He was smart. He helped people, family members. He was never imposing, if he drove all day long to visit you, he'd go buy groceries and come back and everyone would eat. 

Dad taught me.. Save your Money. Dad took me to get my Driver's License and after that I found my first job in Monterey. Tom hired me! He was the Manager.at HFC Dad drove me to work every day before driving himself to work. Then he would pick me up each night and drive us home. I waited several months until I had enough money to buy my first car. Dad and I found a 1964 Ford Rambler and I paid in cash. After that, I drove myself to work.

Dad taught me.. be a good Receiver! When I came to visit mom and dad, Dad would give me gas money. At first I was hurt he did that, I didn't want to be paid to come see them. Dad explained to me, Debbie I just do it to help you. I learned to accept this gift and to look forward to it. Dad did the same with my kids. Dad gave money, Mom gave you tons of food to take home! 

I'm Thankful he was my Dad. I grew as his Daughter. Dad you live forever in my heart.I Love you. Debbie

ROY WAS A GOOD HUSBAND, FATHER AND FRIEND TO MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE.  

WHEN HE AND BARBARA MET, DATED AND MARRIED, I KNEW HIM AS ROCKY.   I REMEMBER MANY FUN TIMES WHEN HE TREATED ALL OF US GIRLS TO THE DRIVEIN MOVIE. IN THOSE DAYS, A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE WAS ONLY $1.00. WE ALL LOVED IT.  AS I GOT OLDER, I WOULD BRING A GIRLFRIEND TO SEASIDE AND ROY WOULD DRIVE US ALL OVER SEASIDE, MONTEREY, THE BEACH, AND OTHER NICE PLACES THAT THIS NOW, 77-YEAR-OLD SENIOR CITIZEN CAN'T REMEMBER. 
 
ONE TIME, BARBARA, CAROL, GLORIA AND I DECIDED TO HAVE A YARD SALE IN SEASIDE. WE HAD TONS OF CLOTHES AND ITEMS WE DIDN'T WANT ANYMORE. WE LITERALLY FILLED BARBARA'S LIVING ROOM.  THE DAY OF THE SALE, ROY DROVE HIS MOTORHOME TO THEIR DRIVEWAY AND PARKED SO THAT HE COULD SIT NEXT TO A WINDOW AND BE OUR CASHIER.  IT WAS A FUN DAY FOR ALL.
 
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS WHEN I VISITED BARBARA AND ROY WAS TO HAVE ROY BARBEQUE HAMBURGERS FOR US.
HE WAS A GREAT GRILLER!
 
 
ROY WAS GOOD AT ALMOST EVERYTHING.  HE WAS A MECHANIC, A CARPENTER, A TV REPAIRMAN, AND MORE.  HE TOOK CARE OF ANYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED INSIDE THE HOUSE. HE MADE SURE BARBARA HAD A NICE HOME.  
 
THANK YOU, ROY, FOR ALL YOU DID, ALL YOU WERE, AND MOST OF ALL LOVING BARBARA AND YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL BARBARA'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS.  WE LOVED YOU TOO.
 
WE WILL MISS YOU ALWAYS!
 
 
FARRIS DWINELL

AT CHRISTMAS, HE TAPED LOTS OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

This year I lost a good friend and a wonderful Family member. 

Roy and I became friends when Phyllis and I started dating. 
Phyllis and I met in December of 1964 and got married in August of 1965.  Roy could see we were in Love with each other and encouraged me to go to Tucson to meet Nora and Alfred. And so we did!

Early on, I learned the value of family bonding and Roy was a good example of how it works! He was a good father, good husband, and a good provider.

We spent many of hours talking about the adversities of every day living.  Roy spent a lot of his working career with the government and I spent all my career with civilian employment. These are totally different environments. 

Roy always said "the Government controlled the economy" while I maintained the corporate world controlled the Government...ha ha ha.....round and round we would go, each presenting our case. We didn't have any animosity, after all, our opinion meant absolutely nothing! I was always "winging" my conversation and ranting to promote my view point. 

That's why he always called me 
" Wingy-Dingy"!

Roy and I bonded in many ways and always ended up more educated, more understanding and more appreciative of each other. We considered each other "family" and, also "friends"! 
I miss Roy, and I will miss his love and conversations!

Bing
("Wingy Dingy")

Roy was a special part of my life. 

He always called me "Phyllis Dale".

I loved visiting my sister Barbara, Roy, and my Nieces and Nephews whenever I got the chance. I have always been pretty attached to them! 

I spent several summers with them and the last summer I met Bing, fell in love, and decided to stay for my last year of high school.

After we got married, Bing and Roy became good friends. We had so much fun and good times together.

Roy took us flying many times. We still laugh about some of our fun trips and crazy escapades! Our boys, Brian and Chad, also got to fly with Uncle Roy! They loved flying and loved their Uncle.

Our family stayed close over the years, and we all loved Roy.
We will have great memories of him forever!

Love you Roy Moats!

"Phyllis Dale"

MY REMEMBERANCE OF ROY (ROCKY) MOATS

One day in Tucson, Arizona, Mom was using her washing machine, which was located outside the house in the yard.  We had to fill the washing machine and two extra tubs with water for rinsing the clothes once they were washed.  Mom started feeding the clothes through the wringer rolls and someone else had to be on the other side to catch the clothes and let them fall into the rinse water.  Barbara was supposed to be the one catching the clothes, however, she could hardly lift her arm.  Mom said, Barbara what is the matter with your arm? After much hesitation, she finally admitted that she fell when she went roller skating with her friends.  It took a while to admit that she was watching a very good looking guy and when he looked back at her she fell for him, all the way to the floor and broke her arm.  So goes the way they met!

My next memory was on their wedding day.  Dad borrowed a trellis in the shape of an arch and decorated it with white and pink olendandars.  It was beautiful and so was the couple getting married.  They were so very much in love and I loved seeing them together.

Their first child was an adorable little girl and they named her Debra.  One day Roy and Barbara came over with Debbie and asked who would like to ride with to Sabino Canyon.  I was one of the lucky ones and I was so excited because Roy had a 50 something ford convertible.  We really had a great time.  I think it may have been the first time I heard Roy's laugh.  A very distinct laugh that I have heard many times since.  In fact, if I pause and listen, I can recall it even now.

We lived on 3rd Street and Barbara and Roy lived on the street behind us.  All of us kids loved going to their house and playing with the babies.  I even got to babysit them.

Roy and Barbara moved to Roswell New Mexico and I didn't see them much until they moved to Marina, CA and then Monterey, CA.  When Roy started working at the Naval Post Grad School I went to visit them.  He and Barbara took me for a tour of his work place and then a tour of Monterey.  I thought it was so nice that they took the time to show me around, especially Roy explaining everything to me.  He was proud of where he worked and loved showing it to family.

Barbara and Roy always worked hard to provide for their family of 6.  Roy was a careful money manager and his family always knew they could count on him.  He shared his experience with his children, even after they were married and came to him for advice. 
 
Love you Roy. 
Rest in peace. 
Carol Tatman

Aunt Barbara:

We loved Uncle Roy so much and will miss his smile and laugh, but I'll remember it in my heart forever!  Good think we're all going to the same place, right? 

 I love you so much and will miss Uncle Roy.

Brenda Morgan

Memories keep those we love close to us forever.

Today and always, may loving memories bring strength, comfort and peace.  It was an honor to care for Leroy.

CHOMP
Hospice of the Central Coast.

Barbara:

Rocky (I still remember him by that name before any of the Rocky movies came out), will be united with you in heaven because of our Savior Jesus.  We pray and love you and were saddened about Roy's death.

In Christ,
Sharon Baldwin

This is from the Dr. and his entire staff Dr. D'Ambrosio - Dad's main doctor

Cherish the memories that will forever be held close to you heart, Barbara.

I respected and liked Roy.  I always enjoyed his visits were we could talk and laugh about our lives.  We will miss his visits to us.

Our Sympathy
Dr. D'Ambrosio and Staff

Roy,

I'll always remember how good you were to Barbara's little sisters.

We sneaked away from home to visit and you made great hamburgers or took us to Mexican food, or to a drive-in movie.  All of us loved you so much, and still do.

Love you Roy,
Freida King

George and I say thank you for the Christmas CD and also information about the memorial service.  I love the music and play it while baking Christmas Cookies.  I wish we could be there for the service but that's not possible.  

We do think about you and George talks about when when Roy and him were you. (a long time ago)

George has been having so much trouble with arthritis in his knees and hips.  He had a cortizone shot in the knee and that helped for awhile but you can't have to many of them.  I was in the hospital for 4 days in Sept. a slight stroke but I'm doing fine.  We will be going to Rod's for Thanksgiving and Christmas

George and Roy were cousins and grew up together when they were teenagers each one on a different farm, but they were still close.  We will miss Roy,

Love George and Carol

Uncle Roy Dancing

2) Roy's Crazy Dancing 

My second memory of Roy that springs to mind is at my brother Michael's wedding. 

I was probably about 12 years old. And at that age, weddings were pretty boring to me. Of course this was special because it was my very own brother and I was a bridesmaid - but sitting at the reception with nothing to do but eat and listen to grown-ups with no one else your age to hang out with besides your younger sister (Grace & I being the youngest of all the first cousins), I remember being a little bit bored.

But then, the DJ came on I couldn't wait to dance! But of course it takes awhile for grown-ups to dance. No one wants to go first do they? But you know who first was to get up and dance with me? Uncle Roy! And the song I remember him dancing to in particular was the rapper Sir Mix A Lot's 'Humpty Dance'. I doubt Uncle Roy had ever heard the song before - but it is probably one of the most ridiculous, comical rap songs ever written! Haha. And Uncle Roy really got into it too, he was moving every limb and twisting around - he had some energy, that's for sure! I remember laughing so hard and trying to carry on dancing while watching Uncle Roy really let loose. It was hilarious and I loved that he danced like he really didn't care who was watching...the way everyone should dance, really - with an unabated zest for life! 

And you know, I'm sure I danced with other family members that night - but to this day, the only dance I can remember at my own, dearly departed brother's wedding - is the dance I had shared with Uncle Roy - to the soundtrack of the Humpty Dance.

Here's the song, if you wanted to hear it - so ridiculous! https://youtu.be/RjIMqfWDPC4

- - -

So those are my two top memories Vikie. I hope you like them and please share them with your mom. I love her too, so much. I wish I lived closer so I could come to the service.

Love to you and all the family,

Cousin Jennifer

FOR UNCLE ROY

1) The curious case of the K-Car

I was just a teenager, living in San Francisco. I think I was about 19, as I was old enough to drive but had finished high school.

Anyway, I get a call from Uncle Roy who said that he'd made some deal with Uncle George and they agreed that Roy would return some favor he owed to George by giving me a car! Now, I never really knew the favor he was returning or what I had to do with it. But as many of us know, family can often be there for you even when you don't know it. And I guess whatever favor Roy was trying to return to George, they agreed he 'pay it forward' so to speak - to little, young me.

I was so excited! So I made arrangements with my sister Lisa to drive me over to Seaside. The car was an classic K-Car design, made by Chrysler and popular throughout the 80s and into the 90s too. The colour was burgundy and the whole thing had a real vintage feel to it, which I was happy about because I have always been into old stuff rather than new.

But what was funny about it, was that in fixing it up, Uncle Roy had put tires on it that were not the usual size. This wasn't a problem with the driving, but it meant the speedometer was about 10-15 miles off! So he had rigged up a little dial that sat on top of the dashboard that told the real mileage. It was ingenious, but also hilarious - and also very Roy! 

I was really happy for the car, but as I rarely drove outside of the busy city I never really got used to checking the speed I was going. And darn it if it wasn't the first time I was on the freeway, driving back from Lisa's house in San Mateo if I didn't get pulled over for speeding - 15 miles over the limit! I tried to explain the tires, but I think the officer thought I was just making it up, haha. To this day, this is the only ticket I've ever gotten too. So funny!

The other thing that was funny about the car was that the back side windows were tinted. Probably to keep out the California sun in summertime. I lived in a pretty bad neighborhood at that time in San Francisco, and one evening when I was cruising around looking desperately for an always illusive parking space - a cop pulled me over again! 

This time I really had to say, I definitely was not speeding and mentioned this. He didn't even ask for my license or anything, but seemed to indicate that he thought some 'other kind of person' might be cruising around this neighborhood at night up to no good - but he'd made a mistake this time and that I could go. Later, I thought - "Hey, that cop thought I was making a drug hook-up! Probably because of my driving, but also the tinted windows." Hahaha. 

Again...such funny memories all because of this quirky car from Uncle Roy. But you know, I wouldn't change it at all. It's just one of those things about Uncle Roy - that he always did things his own way, and I loved him for it, because so did I. 

Here's a picture of a similar car:

Dad:
I grew up thinking my Dad could do anything.  I never realized he wouldn't always be there until much later in life.  
When I hear, an airplane fly over the house to this day I think it's my dad, and then I remember he's gone.
He always took care of his family and would help anyone who would ask him.  We never went without a home, food or clothing.
He knew the answers to my homework, what was wrong with my cars, and provided a refuge when I needed one.
He took fatherhood in stride like all things he mastered.
He went to church when family members were baptized, married or died.  He knew all the teachings of the bible and applied them in his life.  He thought there was no God when his last son died but he knew better.  He would debate religion and politics because he knew a lot about them.  He was baptized and brought up in a Christian home after all.  Look at us and you will see some of Dad.  I never realized how much we all resembled him following Gods law and Jesus way until today.
In the hospital, he knew his rights when they refused him water for they wanted him to live a little longer.   And we watched a flying movie in the hospital the night before he died.  He was happy, ate pudding and knew he was going home tomorrow to be with his loved ones and he did.  I know he's flying around on Eagles Wings where the angels sing.  Love, you Dad. Your daughter Vickie.

To me Roy was a kind and helpful person and was quick to laugh at my lack of knowledge about cars like the time I drove out to see them in Seaside. I was about 19 and at the end of the day they walked to the car with me to say goodbye. He looked at me and said Janice the threads in your tires are showing! I said is that bad? What are threads? He just broke up laughing with that infectious laugh he had.

OBITUARY

Leroy Charles Moats

16 September, 1931 – 20 February, 2016

Bayside Community Mortuary

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