Everett Moore

He was born on Nov. 27, 1940 to Ruby Virginia (VanSlyke) and Norman Everett Moore of Kansas City, MO. Immediately after high school he joined the US Navy where he served as a Class A Radioman aboard the U.S.S. O’HARE. He was honorably discharged in June of 1961. Beyond seeing many sites and cities in Europe, the highlight of his time in the Navy was meeting the sister of one of his shipmates, whom he eventually married.

He and Holly Warner (Anquillare) were married for 50 years and raised three kids, Allen, Robin and Bryan, primarily in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Once the kids had left the nest, Everett and Holly moved back to Kansas City where they built their forever home and lived out the rest of their days.

Everett started a firefighting career with the Grandview Fire Department. He eventually transferred to Kansas City Fire Department in January of 1967, where he retired from in December of 1997 with 30 years of service. In his time with KCFD, he received several commendations for heroism and bravery. When he was not serving as a first responder, Everett worked on cars in several different shops including Hurst Imported Cars in Independence. When he left Hurst, he opened Everett’s Foreign Cars in the garage of the house in Pleasant Hill. He would complete just about any repairs including engine overhauls and transmissions, if it needed fixed, he would figure out how to get the job done. Nothing was too big for the one-man shop although there was the occasional need for help pumping brakes or holding a wrench. Several cars got complete paint jobs in that garage. He continued to work on cars, tractors, basically anything with an engine, in his barn in Kansas City whenever his friends and neighbors needed help.

Cars were his passion. He and Holly had several amazing classic cars including a 1965 Mustang GT Fastback. None, however, have been better known or more visible in the classic car world than his restored 1960 Dodge Matador. The purchase and restoration of this car had been his focus and motivation through good times and challenging times since his retirement. He has driven the Matador from coast to coast across America, as well as from the gulf coast to the Canadian border, much to the delight of many car, and non-car, enthusiasts alike.

After Holly’s passing in 2012, Everett was rarely seen without his golden retriever companion, Cooper. While Cooper regularly ate anything but dog food, he provided many years of loyal friendship and could always be seen riding in the backseat, with the windows down, ears flopping in the wind on the way to Hardee’s for breakfast. Cooper was known to surprise many people walking by the truck when he would suddenly stick his grinning face out the window for a good pat on the head.

In addition to his wife, Holly, he was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Dale and younger sister Kim. Everett was also preceded in death by his grandson Dale Shillington and, most recently, his beloved daughter Robin Lynne Knight.

He is survived by his son Allen and wife Paige, son Bryan and wife Laura, his six granddaughters; Lindsey Emge and Brad of Raymore, MO, Emily Spillane and Chris of Atlanta, GA, Courtney Shillington and Eric Thompson of Pleasant Hill, MO, Katie Knight and Zach Skarshaug of Kansas City, Erin Moore of Philadelphia, PA and Taylor Moore of Kansas City, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Gene Mallin of Overland Park along with several nieces and nephews and their families. Additionally, he is survived by his dear lady friend and companion Janice Thomas of Grandview.

A Visitation for Everett will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 AM. A Committal Service with Full Military Honors will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.