Tony Wayne Moore passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the age of 80 in Huntsville, AL. He was born on Sand Mountain in Albertville, AL on September 22, 1943, to Audrey & Moody Moore.
Tony grew up in a humble home with four sisters. He graduated from Albertville High School in 1961 and later from Jacksonville State University, where he was a member of the national military honor society, ‘Scabbard and Blade.’ It was during his time in school that Tony got a taste of the automobile industry helping his uncle sell used cars. He would drive to Chicago, purchase one car, then tow the other back home to Alabama for resale. It was by these means that Tony paid his way through school and in the process developed a love for the automobile business.
Tony joined ROTC while at Jacksonville State and was later deployed to Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant. He narrowly survived his tour of duty, being the only soldier to deboard a Chinook just moments before it malfunctioned. The vessel, along with Tony’s friends and fellow soldiers, exploded before his eyes, killing all aboard. While on tour Tony was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service in connection with ground operations against hostile forces.
After returning from the war, he re-entered the auto business and worked his way up to managing a dealership. He continued to pursue this career, eventually owning 11 new car franchises between Decatur, AL and Atlanta, GA.
Tony had a deep love for the outdoors, including farming, boating, and hunting. He cherished time with his children and would regularly take them to hunt in the early mornings or to enjoy a warm sunny day boating on Lake Guntersville. He had a passion for waterfowl hunting and would gather friends to hunt on his farm along the Tennessee River.
Ultimately what mattered most to Tony was the love he had for his family. He had a deep and unyielding love for his children, as well as his four sisters. Having come from very humble beginnings, one way that Tony showed love to his family was by working hard to provide. Tony had a strong will, and could be quite stern at times, but despite that, he was a very tender and loving father. He loved to play with, teach, and encourage his children as they grew into adulthood. Tony’s faith was always important to him and he ensured that his children knew this by praying with them, teaching them about their savior, and raising them in the church as regular attendees of First Bible Church in Decatur. Tony knew he needed grace and put his hope in Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection have provided a way for all of us to be saved from our sins and be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Tony is survived by his children, Hamilton Grant Moore (Lydia Rachel Moore), Constance Noel Hall (Timothy Eldon Hall), and Remington Schuyler Moore; sisters, Joyce Moore Woodham and Scarlett Moore Freelin; and four grandchildren, Everett Briggs Moore, Makinley Noelle Moore, Amos Eldon Hall, and Beverly Louise Hall. Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Audrey Angeline Moore and Moody Fosion Moore; sisters Genita Mae Moore and Barbara Ann DeMoes.
Family and friends are invited to the funeral to honor the life of Tony at Southwood Presbyterian Church, 1000 Carl T Jones Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802, on Thursday, April 25th. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the funeral service following at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be made to Big Oak Ranch (https://www.bigoak.org/)
