With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Douglas John Moore, 72, of Huntsville, Alabama. After courageously battling and surviving three cancers, Doug’s heart and lungs finally had enough and he passed peacefully on February 8, 2024, surrounded by his family and being prayed over by his brother. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sally Strickland Moore; children, Kristen Leigh Barnsby (Scott) and Ryan Douglas Moore; brother, Chaplain (Colonel) Richard Gary Moore US Army–Retired (Taunya); three grandchildren, Andrew Scott Barnsby, Matthew Douglas Barnsby and Cooper James Moore; nieces, Kaarin Nicole Vembar (Navin) and Carey O’Dell Scott (Sean); and sister-in-law, Peggy Lee Strickland.
Doug was born in Miami, Florida on December 27, 1951, to Jerry Franklin and Mae Camp Moore. His earlier years were filled with fishing and boating off the waters of Miami, cruising around the neighborhood in his go-cart, spending time with his TEKES Club brothers, and graduating from Coral Gables High School in 1969. He attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) where he was a brother of Phi Delta Theta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 1974. Sally and Doug reconnected in Miami after college and married on Key Biscayne on March 3, 1979. They relocated from Miami to Huntsville in 1985 and Doug worked in the car business for the next two decades. Later, he worked for Parkway Scrubs, spent countless hours immersed in his favorite hobbies (Harley Davidson motorcycles, fish tanks, cars, taking care of his kids’ pets and tinkering in his garage), traveled to Hilton Head every summer and most importantly, enjoyed the company of his grandsons. “DadDad” traveled near and far to be at their baseball, basketball, and football games, piano recitals, and school events. He only yelled occasionally at an umpire or referee. Even as his health declined, he watched or listened to every game from afar.
He was a quiet yet strong husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He was our protector, cheerleader, mechanic, plumber, electrician, and overall Mr. Fix-It. He will be missed so very much.
We owe our sincerest gratitude to the nurses who cared for him recently. Although he never complained, his nurses provided the most compassionate and professional care and treated him as if he were a member of their families. We also owe a heartfelt thanks to his physicians and their care teams, especially those with Huntsville Hospital Heart Center and Clearview Cancer Institute, for their kind and knowledgeable care. Our hope is to ultimately give back to them.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date and his ashes will be spread between two of the places he loved most – the beaches of Hilton Head and Miami.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in Doug’s memory.
