Lance Curtis Moss

Lance Curtis Moss passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2025 at the age of fifty-eight (58) at Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Lance was born in Denver, Colorado on March 2, 1967 to Sally Moss. He was adopted by Jerry Moss at the age of five (5). He spent a short time living in Colorado and Arizona before landing in Challis, Idaho during his sophomore year of high school-and once he arrived, he clearly decided that was a good place to collect friends for life. Making friends came naturally to him, and between his love of music and his athletic ability, he stayed busy with football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated from Challis High School in 1985. He married Julia Piva on June 13, 1987 in Challis, Idaho.
He joined the Navy in July 1985 and served for ten (10) years. While in the Navy he achieved Petty Officer First Class (E-6), and while in the Navy Nuclear Power Program, was an Engineering Watch Supervisor, Radiological Controls Supervisor, Quality Assurance Inspector, Secondary Plant Chemist, and an R-114 200 ton Air Conditioning Unit Technician. Some honors and awards he received while in service was a Navy Achievement Medal for efforts as Drill Coordinator, a Commander of the Submarine Pacific Fleet Letter of Commendation, and was selected as Sailor of the Quarter for accomplishments during his first patrol aboard Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine as one of the youngest ever winning the award. Some of Lance's accolades with the Navy include a Submarine Warfare Insignia, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Award for Period Ending February 23, 1995, three (3) Navy "E" Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal, two (2) Letters of Commendation by Comsubgru Nine, and four (4) SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pins. Lance served nine (9) patrols aboard the USS Florida. When he joined the Navy, he discovered that uniforms and discipline still couldn't quiet his passion for music and found a way to turn life into a jam session. He joined a band called Witzend, where he played bass and served as lead singer.
Lance and Julia moved to Bremerton, Washington while he served in the Navy, where they had two (2) children, Lacen and Marlae. He was in Bremerton until 1995, when they decided to move to Boise, Idaho. In 1995, Lance began a career at Micron. He made many friends and continued entertaining people through music whenever he could. In 1999, Lance and Julia decided to move closer to family and came back to Challis, Idaho. Lance continued his career in IT with Custer Telephone and served the community with their internet and phones until 2008. He then began a career with Thompson Creek Mine as a Network Administrator until July 2012 when he transitioned to work for Thompson Creek Metals as a Manager for Systems Integration until 2020. He began a career with Nuvek Technologies shortly after, and served his community once again by traveling to the local schools in Challis, Salmon, and Stanley to assist with the technology it takes to run a school. No matter where he was, he continued to gather friends and entertain anyone within earshot. He built lasting friendships with school staff and students alike, leaving behind plenty of laughs and great memories.
Lance and Julia divorced in 2021. In 2023, he met Shaun Loughney, who he would share his remaining years with, which were happily filled with concerts, outdoor adventures, and frequent trips to the river-mainly so his labrador, Fathom, could retrieve a ball approximately 4,000 times.
The Challis community was another passion of his. He served on the Chamber of Commerce as a board member, and then President for many years. He helped the City put on the annual Horse Shoe Tournament on the 4th of July. He bowled on several bowling leagues and continued to travel to Blackfoot so he could still bowl after Challis lost their bowling alley. Lance loved acting. Outlaw Theater was yet another way to give entertainment to the community where his social skills shined brightest on stage, especially when playing villains-roles he embraced wholeheartedly. His improvisation was legendary, and his main goal was always the same: make people laugh. He was a good friend, a role model to the community, and a beloved father figure to many of his daughters' friends as they grew up. Music was always close to his heart, serving as both a creative outlet and a way to lift spirits. He played gigs around town and was constantly learning new songs so everyone could hear at least one tune they loved.
There weren't many things Lance loved more than his Country. He proudly shared his patriotism with anyone he met and carried his passion for the United States wherever he went-usually with a smile, a story, and maybe a song to go along with it.
Lance is survived by Sally Moss (Mother), Lacen (Kolt) Workman, Marlae (Nick) Needles, and his two grandchildren, Renn and Calen. He is preceded in death by Jerry Moss (Father), Marvin (Mabel) Webert (Maternal Grandparents) and Paul (Pearl) Moss (Paternal Grandparents).
A service will be held to honor Lance at the Community Center in Challis, Idaho on December 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM.