Harlen L. Moore

Harlen L. Moore 1934-2010 Local Businessman, Service Minded, Golf Enthusiast. Harlen "Moose" Moore, a desert community business owner, golf enthusiast and friend of many in service organizations has died. He was 76. Moore died at his home in Yucca Valley on September 22, 2010 with his loving companion of 21 years, Virginia Stashi-Moore and family by his side after a lengthy battle with cancer. Moose, as he was called by his friends, was born in San Pedro, Calif. and moved with his family to Palm Springs in 1945. Going through the local school system, he was a graduate of Palm Springs High, Class of 1953. He later attended San Bernardino Valley College and the University of California at Riverside. Seeing the trend towards full service automotive facilities, he sharpened his knowledge of mechanics and the technology required of the service station business. While he owned several service stations in the valley, he was most widely known for the establishment of Sunrise Shell. His love of cars and people matched with customer service standards and quality work, earned him awards and recognition from the 'Desert Beautiful' organization for that site. He was also proud of Moore Automotive in Rancho Mirage co-founded with his brother Dave. After 48 years as a service station proprietor, Moose retired, building a new home in Yucca Valley. There he bought "Shooters", a local pizza restaurant he owned and operated for four years. He enjoyed his new community presence and valued the new friendships made. When Moose was not hard at work, he could be found on a golf course pursuing that perfect game. Avidly following the current players and tournaments, weekends would not be complete without golf. He expressed how happy he felt working at one of his favorite places, The O'Donnell Golf Club, for a time. Beyond the commitments of business and passion for golf, Moose valued his memberships and service to organizations in the community. He was recognized by the Desert Special Olympics for his contributions and in particular for the donation at one time of all track shoes for participants. Even in the days prior to his death, he was describing that the purple pigs on his dressers, provided by the Elks Lodge, were for all pocket change and would eventually be given to help those with muscular dystrophy. Moose was also regularly in attendance at American Legion Post 519 where everyone welcomed him for his Military Reserve service and he found such friendship in his comrades. Moose is survived by his loving companion of 21 years, Virginia Stashi-Moore; four daughters, Robin Fifield of Anaheim, Calif., Sharon Fox of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Carolyn Ragland of Palm Springs, Calif., and Julie Starrett of Ashland, Ore.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the American Legion Post 519, 400 N. Belardo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262. Reverend Andrew Green of The Church of St. Paul in the Desert will be presiding. All are welcome to come celebrate Moose's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Harlen Moore to City of Hope, Gift Administration, 1500 E. Duarte Rd. Duarte, CA 91010. Please designate any donation to cancer research.