James Gary Moore was born in Louisiana, MO in 1940 to James Moore and Viola Smith Moore. His family moved to Kansas City where he attended Kumph Grade School. Gary graduated from Paseo High School in 1958. He later attended KCJC then Kansas University.
Gary worked as a draftsman and a systems planner at the Kansas City Power & Light Company for over 38 years. He met his wife, Susan Knox Moore, while at Paseo High School in an English class. They were married while attending Kansas University in 1961. In 1963, they bought a home in the Kansas City North area and raised all three children (Jay, Janet & Glen) there.
Gary was involved in Scouting most of his life. He was an Eagle Scout and a “hardway” Warrior of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. As an adult, Gary was a scout leader in both the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. Both sons also became Eagle Scouts and members of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say while his only grandson is well on his way to joining the club. Gary was also involved in the Northland Swim Conference at the Sun-n-Surf Swim Club in Kansas City North. Gary was also a Deacon at Hillside Christian Church. As a lifelong fan of Jacque Cousteau, Gary became a SCUBA diver beginning in the late 1950’s and ending with a final dive in Cancun, Mexico. He made sure all of his children were divers. Every vehicle he owned was ONLY adorned with a diver’s flag sticker on the back bumper. Gary loved working with wood and fixing things. When he and Susie retired, they moved into a custom-made home in rural Bates City, re-shaped the property, built a pond and made trails through the woods, naming each trail after a grandchild. He was always tinkering and fixing items on his work bench. Every tool had its place and every item was either labelled or boxed or both.
Everyone who thought Gary was quiet never sat by him at a Chiefs game. His favorite line for years was “give the ball to Podolak”. Gary and Susie have been Chiefs season ticket holders since 1969 and went to games together even before that time. Decades would pass before missing a home field game. He was a true fan of Lenny Dawson and loved watching the games with friends and family. Go Chiefs!
Gary had one family-known quirk. In some form or fashion, he had collected & read every story, book or novel ever written by Stephen King. As an avid reader, he would also attempt and finish books such as James Joyce’s “Ulysses” or Melville’s “Moby Dick” for example. Why? His answer was always the same, “well, you’ve got to read something”. Gary and Susie always liked to travel. Many years were spent going on that yearly family vacation in a station wagon and later with a camper to the Florida Keys or close by at Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri. After retirement, they traveled to more of the United States, Mexico, Canada, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
Gary passed away April 19, 2019. He is survived by his wife Susie of 57 years; his three children Jay (Lisa), Janet, and Glen (Cris); his grandchildren Jessica, Abigail, Nate, and Laila; and his sister Annette.
MATTHEW 6:9-13