CPO Charles Lee Moore, USN (Ret) March 20, 1926 – April 8, 2013
CPO Charles Lee Moore (Ret.), 87 born in Rosman, North Carolina went home to be with his heavenly father, Monday, April 8, 2012. He was busy doing what he so enjoyed – working in his yard.
Charles led a full life, enlisting in the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of 17, and saw action aboard his ship during the campaign for the Philippines from Bougainville all the way to Tokyo. His 34 years of naval service included active duty in Korea through the Vietnam War with awarded accommodations. Recently he was among those that flew on the prestigious Honor Flights to lead prayer at the Statue of Iwo Jima amongst other veterans in Washington D.C.
Charles later became an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis where he was able to work with impressionable young Navy Officers. After retiring from active duty Charles served in the U.S. Civil Service in Naval Sea Support Center in San Diego, CA where his he and first wife Lois joined Scott Memorial Baptist Church where Tiim Lehay, was pastor and writer of the No One Left Behind series.
Greatly influenced by Lahaye’s work he was encouraged to learn to fly and after piloting himself trained to be a flight instructor. This training allowed him to teach missionaries how to pilot planes for work in third world countries.
Charles and Lois moved to Huntsville in 1982 where he accepted a position at Teledyne Brown Engineering, where he would work until he retired. Quite active as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Whitesburg Baptist Church, the Moore’s were a fixture in the church. Later Lois developed Lou Gehrig’s disease and suffered greatly several years until succumbing to the illness in 1985. Later that year Charles married a widow at WBBC, Peggie Baucom Moore.
Even in retirement Charles never stopped, volunteering his services as an accomplished musician and playing at least twice a week at nursing homes, veteran facilities and schools. He loved the old songs from the 40’s and Christian gospel music. His one man band of guitar and harmonica earned him a nickname with local children as Mr. Harmonica Man and he was extremely happy to help shut ins and the elderly enjoy singing songs that they remembered.
The Moores were also active in the the Christian Cancer Support Group at Clearview Cancer Center and in many activities at Whitesburg Baptist.
Preceded in death by his parents, Charles Jordan and May Owen and first wife Lois Cogdell Moore.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 28 years Peggie Baucom Moore, his son Garrie Jor (Susan), San Diego, CA; daughters Verle Cordova (Randy), Atlanta, GA; Diane (Neil) Patren, Los Angels, CA; Linda (Tommy) Glover, Spartanburg. S.C. Step-children Keith Myrick, Beaufort, SC; Lori Myrick Wilkes, Huntsville; Charles (Wanda) Myrick, Ft. Payne, AL 15 Grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday April 14, 2013 at 3:30pm at the Whitesburg Baptist Chapel at The Rock at 7300 Whitesburg, Dr. in Huntsville. The family will receive friends on that day from 2pm until 3:30pm at the church. Charles was loved and will be missed by many. His story will live on through his legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Christian School Building Fund at Whitesburg Baptist Church.
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