Alfred C. "Al" Moss

1937 - 2010

Al Moss went to be with his Lord, December 13, 2010.

Al was a man with deep abiding faith whose proudest accomplishment was his family. His unwavering commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family was without bounds. Al exemplified "service above self." He gave of himself to better his church, students, and the community. His legacy of compassion and selflessness will live on in the lives of so many he touched.

Al was born Dec. 8, 1937 to Harold and Marjorie Moss in Yakima, Washington. He attended school in Selah, WA, graduating in 1956, lettering in tennis and basketball.

He graduated from Whitworth College in 1960 with a BA in education. As a member of the tennis team, Al lettered 4 years, winning the Evergreen Conference doubles title, runner-up in singles, and advancing to the NAIA championships.

He worked at Associated Grocers as a semi-truck driver all four summers to put himself through college.

On June 14, 1959, Al married Nancy House at the First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg, beginning 51 years of marriage.

In 1960, Al was hired as a history teacher at Davis High School starting his 41-year career in education, with 34 in administration. At Davis, he was Assistant Basketball Coach, Head Tennis Coach, and basketball official before he became the Athletic Director and Vice-Principal. Al and three close friends started the Davis Invitational Tennis Tournament and the Washington State Tennis Tournament.

Al served as the Manager and Tennis Instructor at the Yakima Tennis Club 1960-62. He taught tennis for the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department 1964-1968.

He completed his Master of Education in History in 1966 from CWU and completed administrative credentials in 1968. He attended WSU, Harvey Mudd College, Colorado College, the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, and Lewis and Clark College.

After a year at Wilson Junior High School as the Vice-Principal, Al became Principal of Ellensburg High School in 1972 for 14 years.

Al was President of the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals in 1979, and President of the Association of Washington School Principals in 1985-86.

In 1986, Al became the Assistant Superintendent for Ellensburg School District, retiring in August 1994. During his 22 years in Ellensburg, he taught classes at CWU and Heritage University.

Al became Curriculum Director for the Richland School District in 1994. A year later, he became the Assistant Superintendent for Hermiston, OR School District where he served for 5 ½ years before retiring a second time in June 2001.

Always an active person, Al enjoyed golf, particularly in his retirement years, but his greatest love was fly-fishing. His favorite places to fish were Rocky Ford Creek and Lenice Lake, introducing dozens of friends to the huge Rainbows of these waters.

Al loved his Lord and served as a Sunday school teacher, Young Life leader and an Elder of both the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yakima and the Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church. He was active in Bible Studies and Men's Breakfasts.

Al served as President of Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Board, was a member of the Ellensburg Rotary Club (Past-President, recipient of the Rotary Integrity Award and District Service Award), First Presbyterian Church of Ellensburg, Hermiston Rotary Club, Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa, Yakima Young Life Board, the Ellensburg United Way Board, served on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Board, and was President of both the Columbia Basin Big Nine League and the Mid-Valley League. He also belonged to the Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Confederacy of Oregon School Administrators, and Washington Retired Teachers Association.

His family includes Nancy, the love of his life; children; Robert of Spokane, Gary (Maria) of Maple Valley, WA, Kristin (Mark Kison) of Post Falls, ID, and Nancy (Butch Beyerlin) of Goldendale, WA; sisters, Karen (Myron Anderson) of Gig Harbor, Andrea (Jerry Davies) of Seabeck, Marjiann (Marty Loken) of Nordland, WA, one brother, Cleve (Ranee') of Roseburg, OR; Darrall and Irene Robbins of Scottsdale, AZ, and loving nephews and nieces. His spirit lives in his four grandchildren, Ethan, Grisha, Miles, and Vanessa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Marjorie Moss.

A Celebration of his Life shall be held at the Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church on December 29th at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church Foundation, Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Foundation, or F.I.S.H.