John Andrea Moe

Lt. Col. John Andrea Moe (USAF) passed away on April 22, 2014, in Washington, DC with loved ones by his side. John was a courageous, creative and kind man. He treated everyone he met with dignity and respect. John was devoted to his wife, Beverly, and his family. He read constantly, played the violin and sang, and had a sense of adventure.

John was born in Virginia, Minnesota, January 23, 1925. He grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and attended college prior to joining the Army Air Corps . He flew fighters and troop carrier planes in Europe during WWII. Jack was among a small group of pilots selected to fly gliders, and he flew the 5th American glider plane to cross the Rhine in Operation Varsity.

After WWII John completed college and married his sweetheart, Beverly Ann Gunness. They had two daughters, Denecia Deford and Kari Moe. John was recalled into military service during the Korean War and he remained in the Air Force until 1968. During those years he served in Japan, taught AFROTC at Kansas State, and served with the Canadian Air Force. He earned a Masters of Business at Arizona State University, and managed base supply operations at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan. John served in the Vietnam War, stationed at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. His final assignment was at Shaw AFB in South Carolina.

Upon retirement from the Air Force John worked for Xerox in Rochester, New York. Ever adventurous, he participated in Earth Watch archaeological trips to Zaire and Wales. He studied photography, built a dark room, and delighted everyone with his photos. John and Beverly moved to Seven Lakes, North Carolina after leaving Xerox, where they built a wonderful community of friends and activities.

Following an illness in 2006, John moved to the Community Living Center of the National Veterans Medical Center. This last stage of his life was blessed by many loving caregivers, visits with Bev, daughters and grandchildren, and trips to Washington Nationals baseball games. A highlight was celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife Beverly and family.

John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Denecia and John DeFord of Bad Axe, Michigan; daughter and son-in-law, Kari and Robert Giloth of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Andrew DeFord, Adrienne Eckel and Seth Eckel, Emma Giloth, Lian Giloth, and Jack Giloth; and great-grandchildren, Larsen Eckel and Emeline Eckel.

The memorial service is on Friday, October 31 at 9am at the Old Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. Condolences my be sent ℅ Kari Moe, 26 6th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.

So quiet was his approach that Heaven was unaware

A glider pilot had met his fate, and was now standing at the Heavenly Gate.

"How could this happen?" the Lord exclaimed.

"For unto Me is known all things."

The glider pilot's answer was,

"I came on Silent Wings."

On Silent Wings by Joyce Hill