Moe was called home to the Lord on May 20, 2018. He is survived in life by his loving companion Marion Stanley, his daughter Jennifer Jeanne (Elm) Bean, his four grandchildren, Robert and Megan Bean, Michelle Sutherland and James Gardner and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane (Blackmun) Elm, and his children, Janet Elm, Brian Elm and Janice Gardner. Through Marion, Moe enjoyed a loving extended family with her daughters Kim Evans and Lynn Jacobs and sons Scott Stanley and Chris Stanley and their families.
Moe was born in Genoa, Nebraska on June 27, 1919 to Claude August Elm and Jessie Maude (Luce) Elm. He was Claude’s 14th child and the 7th child with his second wife Jessie. Claude Elm’s first wife, Clara Matilda (Beijer) Elm, died helping her husband fight a prairie fire that threatened to destroy their just completed farm house. Moe was raised and attended school in Genoa, Nebraska. His father passed away when Moe was only 5 years old. Upon graduating high school at 16, Moe began to work various jobs around Nebraska to help his widowed mother and family. In 1940, he traveled to Oregon to work on the construction of the Bonneville Dam. He worked several different jobs during the construction of the dam and learned that if you were on time and worked hard, the Straw Boss would hire you for new jobs, as others finished. Later in 1940, he moved to Sun Valley, California where he found work with his sister, Evalyne, and her husband, Clarence Widle, on their chicken ranch. Then in late in 1940, a friend asked Moe to accompany him while he applied for a job at Lockheed Aircraft Company. By helping his friend, Moe began his long career with Lockheed. With a steady job, in 1941 Moe proposed to and married Betty Jane Blackmun and they made their home in San Fernando, CA.
As World War II raged in 1943, the Army Air Corps was in need of journeymen aircraft mechanics. Lockheed answered the call and Moe was dispatched to Shannon Airport in Belfast, Ireland to support the war effort at a depot level maintenance facility. While stationed in Ireland, Moe worked on numerous types of aircraft, including those built by competitors of Lockheed, a short list being the B-17, B-24, B-25, B-26, P-51 and P-38. Within 24 hours of returning home on leave in 1944, he received a telegram ordering him to report for Induction into the Army. Moe served 24 months in the Army and received training in Infantry and Artillery before being transferred to the Army Air Corps. During his basic training, he suffered from flat feet caused by ill fitting boots, an injury that plague him during his time in the service. The Army Air Corps utilized Moe’s skills that he brought with him from Lockheed and made him by a Flight Line Mechanic. Once again though, his flat feet caused him problems and he was transfer to a supply position. He finished his military service maintaining, inspecting and repairing parachutes. Upon his Honorable Discharge in 1946, he returned to Lockheed and resumed his career working on both classified and unclassified aircraft programs. Some of his proudest work achievements included being assigned to Mr. Kelly Johnson’s “Skunk Works” program. His work as the night watch crew leader for the U-2 project, preparing and ensuring the aircraft was ready for the next day’s mission. He was also proud of his time on the AH-56 Cheyenne program as well as the SR-71 program. Moe finished his 38 year career with Lockheed as a Production Supervisor on the L-1011 Airline program.
Moe and Betty raised their three children in San Fernando, California where the family enjoyed hunting and fishing trips. Moe was known for his beautiful Camellias and his two backyard greenhouses where he enjoyed growing flowers and plants. Moe also raised and showed Norwegian Elkhounds with two of his dogs winning many awards. Moe was a Master Mason and a member of the San Fernando Masonic Lodge #343. The family attended and were active in the First Presbyterian Church and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of San Fernando. Both Moe and Betty also served on the Board of the San Fernando Historical Society and represented California while traveling extensively with the California Secretary of State. In their travels they visited China, Hong Kong, India and Thailand. They also made many family trips to visit relatives in Nebraska and Oregon.
In 1987 Betty was called home to the Lord. Moe was devastated by the new void left in his life. As he began to put his life back together, he traveled with the Lockheed Retiree Travel club. Several years later, while on an around the world trip with is niece, Sandra Swantek, Moe met Marion Stanley. Marion was the widow of and Air Force Officer and Attorney. After several years of seeing each other socially, they made the decision to live together in Camarillo, CA. They both enjoyed traveling and did so extensively, both in the states and abroad. Moe continued his gardening hobby and enjoyed completing handyman projects around the home. As both he and Marion aged they became each other’s strongest advocates and loved each other fiercely.
Being the youngest of 14 children, family had always been important to Moe. One of the wishes his mother Jessie had expressed to him was a vision of having a family reunion. In 1994, with the help of his daughters Jennifer and Janet, Moe was able to complete his mothers vision and the first Elm Family Reunion was held at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. It was Moe’s 75th birthday and he decided the reunion would be called The Descendants of Claude Elm or D.O.C.E. These family reunions have since occurred every two to three years thanks to Moe’s drive and foresight.
Maurice Orville Elm will always be in our hearts and memories. He enjoyed a long life of 98 years and 11 months. He witnessed the world change around him. From electricity and indoor plumbing being introduced into the home, to Model A cars replacing horse and buggy, to mankind walking on the Moon. He used his life’s experiences gained witnessing these changes to help others and create long lasting friendships. Please remember Moe for all he did in life to help others and cherish the great memories we all had with “Uncle” Orville.
Rest in Peace Moe!
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