Dr. Otis Lafayette Moore, Jr.

Otis L. Moore, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas to Barbara Lee Jefferson and Otis L. Moore, Sr. He was the second of five children. He accepted Christ at an early age and attended the Forest Lawn Baptist Church in Houston. At the time of death, Otis resided in Manlius, New York, where he'd moved in 1973. He and his wife Vivian raised their son, Otis Ato, and daughter, Amanda Era there. Otis grew up in the Trinity Gardens neighborhood of Houston and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1956. Upon graduating high school, Otis served four years in the United States Navy, attached to the Marine Corps as a medic. During his time in the military Otis was based in Michigan, California, and Okinawa, Japan. Otis earned his Bachelors of Science degree from Texas Southern University (TSU) in Biology and Chemistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Howard University's School of Dentistry in 1971. Otis worked his way through college at the US Postal Service in Houston and Washington, DC. Otis enjoyed a successful and rewarding dental career, serving the public for over forty years. He was a dental instructor at Howard University prior to relocating to Central New York as a dentist at the Syracuse Community Health Center. During his tenure there, he served both as a Staff Dentist and Dental Director. He was also the owner of Amsterdam Dental Care Services in Amsterdam, New York. He was actively involved in community service by providing dental check-ups, dental education in partnership with community organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta of Syracuse, Syracuse Chapter of Links, and the 100 Black Men of Syracuse, NY. He also served as a speaker for youth career programs. He was an active member of the National Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the New York Chapter, Fourth and Fifth District Dental Societies. During his downtime, Otis was an avid collector of jazz (John Coltrane, Dinah Washington and Miles Davis were among his favorites). He also loved taking family trips and enjoyed photography and sports. To celebrate his life, Otis leaves his wife of 50 years, Vivian Williams Moore, two children, son, Otis Ato (Wendy Moore and Isabella Hain) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and daughter, Amanda of Arlington, Virginia. He will be missed by many, including close friends, colleagues, patients, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and other relatives. His mother, father and four siblings, Michael, Mary, Clara, and Rodney preceded him in death. Family and friends will gather Friday, October 9, 2015, to reflect and remember the life of Otis beginning at 7:00pm and concluding at 9:00pm. The Life Celebration will follow on Saturday, October 10, 2015, beginning at 1:30pm. Both services will be held in the Garden of Hope Chapel of Paradise Funeral Home. Rev. James Punch Officiate/ Eulogist Interment: Paradise Cemetery North