David L. Moberly

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David L. Moberly

Of San Jose, CA died Saturday, September 2, 2006, surrounded by his adoring children. Born in 1922 in Bado, Missouri, he was raised mainly in Newton, Kansas. As a teenager he moved to Cabool, MO to care for his grandparents. There he met his childhood sweetheart, the vivacious Catherine Neighbors (Moberly), to whom he was married for 63 years until her death in September, 2005. They married in a quick ceremony and he was shipped out within hours. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa during World War II and received a Bronze Star. Following WWII, he attended the University of Illinois and graduated with honors in 1949. He was again on active duty in 1952/'53 and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star for action in Korea. He resigned his commission as Lieutenant Colonel in the inactive reserves in 1956. David's career with Westinghouse, Sunnyvale, began in 1958; he retired in 1985 from Marine Publications where he was a supervisor of technical writing. Much of Dave's retirement was spent working as a volunteer at the San Jose Family Shelter. He was beloved by his family who cherished his integrity, wit, loyalty and intelligence, and his devotion to Catherine, whom he cared for during her long illness. A writer by nature, he had a gift for storytelling and a love of children's books and Western novels. A modest man, he never spoke of his charitable support of the United Hills Methodist Church and numerous humanitarian and political organizations such as Southern Poverty Law Center, San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc., Foundation for Hope, Habitat for Humanity and the American Lung Association, among many others. His volunteer work also extended to his strong support of the Democratic Party and liberal ideals.David was also loved as a quintessential "good neighbor" in his Cambrian Park neighborhood where for 44 years his gentlemanly charm and generosity made friends of the local dogs, kids and adults. David is survived by his children and sons-in-law Suzanne LoBue and husband Phil LoBue, Marilyn Frisby and husband David Frisby, Phyllis Moberly, Sarah Moberly, John Moberly and Kerry Moberly-Pratt and husband Glenn Pratt; his grandchildren Jennifer Frisby-Bowling, Jon Frisby, Evan Duffy, Sean Duffy and Catherine Pratt; his great-grand-daughter Kalista Bowling; and his brothers Woodrow Moberly and Billy Moberly. Services will be held on Sunday, September 10, at 1:00 p.m. at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church at 1200 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose. There will be a viewing there from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Arrangements by Darling-Fischer Mortuaries.