Gordon Paul Moore Jr.

Gordon Paul Moore Jr., who most knew as just ‘Gordy’, passed away from heart failure, two weeks shy of his 81st birthday. He is survived by sister Coleen Abar (Grand Forks –Mesa), his wife of 54 years, Sandra (Swartz) Moore , Four children Greg Webster-Moore 53 (Marion, Iowa), Susan Ann Shank 51 (Rockledge, FL), Shelly Jo Simon 49 (Gilbert, AZ), Gary Paul Moore 45 (Denver, CO). Gordy has 8 grandchildren (Stacy, Joanna, Alyssa, Jordan, Cassie, Jasmine, Taylor, & ‘Big Jake’) and 4 great grandchildren (Brayden, Sandra, Parker, & Blaire) whom he loved very much and kept him young at heart.

Gordy, preceded in death by his father, Gordon Moore Sr. , Grand Forks , ND Fire Chief of 50 Years and mother, MaryRose ‘Edith’ Parent, three brothers Robert, John (Jack), Clarence (Bud), and sister & Mary Ellen (Haugen). Gordy was born in Grand Forks, ND during the hot summer of 1935. Lived together with his family on Euclid Ave. Gordy graduated from GF Central High where he lettered in both basketball and football where he was a standout at defensive end. Gordy was also known to be a class prankster. He attended UND for a short while until he left for the Air Force. Gordy proudly served as a Staff Sgt. in communications technology and was stationed overseas during the Korean War, and was an active member of the American Legion and VFW until his death.

Gordy was also a member of the Eagles, Elks, and the Knights of Columbus, where he developed many friendships. He was a member of St. Mary’s & Holy Family church in Grand Forks, St. Mary’s in Rockledge, FL, St Brigit in Mesa & St Anne in Gilbert, AZ. He loved early morning mass so he could enjoy football and a nap in the afternoon. Gordy was a huge Minnesota Vikings and UND Fighting Sioux fan. He was not a fan of the Sioux name change.

Gordon married his only true love Sandra in June of 1962. He spent most of his life in Grand Forks working in several occupations after living in Seattle, WA and Ogden, UT working for the Boeing Corporation. In Grand Forks they bought their first house, one of the first homes in the middle of new south forks development, on Drees Dr, where they lived for 35 years. Gordy worked for S&S Electronics out of Fargo, where he was one of the top on-the-road salesmen. He also owned and ran Rainbow of Sounds TV & Stereo Repair shop. Later on in his life he managed the American Legion for a short while as well as one of the Perkins Restaurants. For most of the years closer to his retirement, Gordy worked as a Grand Forks city bus driver, where he became one of the favorites of the group. Even today many of them remember Gordy for his happy spirit and playful pranks.

In 1997, their Drees Drive home was severely damaged by the big Red River Flood. Gordy managed to repair the home, but after 5 years, decided it was time to leave his snow shovel behind. They moved to Florida in 2002 , where at the time , two of his children Greg & Susan and their family were living. He set down new roots in Rockledge only to be hit by heavy storm damage and 4 Hurricanes. He decided to move him and Sandy to Mesa, Arizona in 2005, where they landed at Citrus Gardens, near their other daughter Shelly and live out his retirement and spend his children’s inheritance, working with his fruit trees.

Gordy loved to tinker in the garage and doodle around on paper with invention ideas or ways to improve things. He was always there by phone to act as a consultant on any home project that his kids were doing, if he didn’t show up to take over the project himself.

Gordy was also a good friend to so many and spent hours writing letters and e-mails to keep in touch with his high school classmates, military buddies, ‘girlfriends’ whom he managed to pick up over the years, and anyone else he considered a friend. He was always trying to stay busy.

Gordy will be laid to his final rest, after cremation, with Military Honors, at Ft. Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN sometime this fall, most likely during a Vikings home game weekend.

Gordy’s family would love for you to share your thoughts or a lasting memory you have of Gordy, so his family can enjoy or even learn more about the man they all love, and will miss so much. Arrangements under the direction of Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses, Mesa, AZ.