Richard Eugene Moore Sr., 92, of Hamlet, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
Born Oct. 10, 1930 to William and Margaret Moore, he was the baby of 10 children.
After graduating from Rockingham High School in 1950, Richard embarked on a military career and married his high school sweetheart, Nellie Jean Howell, in 1951, and they raised three children in a home filled with love, music and laughter.
Richard served four years at Royal Air Force/United States Air Force Base in Burtonwood, England and finished his career in the U.S. Coast Guard serving numerous bases across the U.S. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars before retiring after 36 years of proudly serving his country. After settling in Hamlet, he enjoyed working 10 years at Hamlet Library.
Richard and Jean attended Clown College in Kodiak, Alaska, and performed with Clowns Alley. After settling in Richmond County, they enjoyed performing at churches and various events and continued their love of entertaining on Halloween nights at their home on Hylan Avenue in Hamlet, depicting movies such as the “Wizard of Oz,” “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” and other Disney movies.
Richard was a gentle man known for his incredible sense of humor and enormous knowledge of “facts.” He loved traveling, listening to music, playing piano and reading his Bible. As a member of East Rockingham United Methodist Church, he served on numerous committees, sang in the choir, and taught the adult Sunday school class. He enjoyed helping with Christmas programs and Bible schools as well as performing in skits on Family Nights.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers and sisters and granddaughter, Cherri Wilson Adamson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Jean Howell Moore; daughters, Glenda Sherrill (Robert) of Rockingham and Diane Ingram of Hamlet; son, Richard Moore Jr. (Kathy) of Waterford, New York; great-granddaughter, Ashleigh Adamson of Fayetteville; and his faithful companion, Bentley.
The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 3 p.m. East Rockingham United Methodist Church, 490 Mill Road, Rockingham, with the Rev. Michael Griffin officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at 2 p.m. and graveside service will follow at Richmond Memorial Park, 1717 E. Broad Ave., Rockingham with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. Highway 1, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Moore family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
