Lyle Vernon Moore

In Loving Memory of Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Submarine Service) Lyle Vernon Moore, U.S. Navy (Retired)

August 28, 1939 – January 19, 2026

Mr. Lyle Vernon Moore, 86, of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at W.R. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home in Clermont, Georgia.

A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Cleveland, Georgia, with Pastor Spencer Anderson officiating.

Born in Central City, Iowa, Lyle was the son of Homer Vernon Moore and Virginia May Moore. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Muriel May Moore (King).

Lyle proudly served in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1975, retiring with distinction as a Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (MMCM), the highest enlisted rank in his rate.

His military career took him across the globe primarily beneath the ocean waves stationed in Key West, Florida; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; and Groton, Connecticut (and many more) those listed coincided with the births of his four children. His work aboard submarines, his steady leadership, and his mechanical precision made a lasting impression on all who served with him.

Following his military retirement, Lyle applied his deep knowledge and technical skills to a successful civilian career. He served as the Assistant Director of Engineering for HCA in Charleston, South Carolina, and later became Director of Engineering and the construction and opening of Lanier Park Hospital in Gainesville, Georgia. In time, he followed his entrepreneurial instincts and opened The Shade Tree, a small engine repair shop in Clermont, Georgia. Never content to stop learning, Lyle later expanded his talents to support Mobile MRI units along the East Coast and founded Performance Cryogenics, applying cryogenic processing techniques to optimize everything from golf balls to race cars.

Lyle’s brilliance was matched by his creativity and hands-on ingenuity. He was a tinkerer, builder, fly-fisherman, and inventor, often crafting tools, machines, and systems from scratch. His innovative spirit led him to create custom electronic boards, cryogenic boxes, and even a joule measurement machine for welders. Whether it was fly fishing on the lake, quiet streams or sketching designs on a napkin, he found joy in solving problems and building solutions.

Yet beyond all his accomplishments, Lyle was a man of quiet generosity and great character. Known for his tact and wit, he was pragmatic, quick to help, and always willing to give people another chance. His home was a haven to many, a place where people could find their footing again. He deeply loved his wife, delighted in his children’s successes, and found peace in simple moments shared with those he loved.

He is survived by his devoted family:

Children (and spouses):

Larry Vernon Moore (Barbara)Marilyn May (Moore) Delgado (Mario E. Delgado)Leonard “Lee” Van Moore (Tammy)Margret “Mignon” (Moore) Hooper (Danny)

Grandchildren (and spouses):

Roger A. Spradley (Joanna)Ryan A. Spradley (Tammara)Nicholas L. Moore (Elizabeth)Jonathan L. Moore (Tonya)Casey Jones (Adriane)Dalton H. HooperAlex (Brittany) HunnicuttShane (Belinda) SheedySonya (Tony) Patterson

Great-Grandchildren (and spouses):

Jarrod SpradleyJames HoffDerick SpradleyAyden SpradleyVictoria Spradley-YoungMcKenzie SpradleyRyder A. SpradleyRhyse A. SpradleyDorsey Claire JonesCharlotte MooreCollin HunnicuttCaleb HunnicuttColbie HunnicuttCory HunnicuttKyra SheedyChiane Lee (Josh)Trinity SheedyMakenzie GriffinNathaniel Blank (deceased)Finley Patterson

Great-Great-Grandchildren:

Tyler Alexander KanottEzra Lazarus SayvihaneKylin SheedyAspen SheedyCaden SheedyNova SheedyRidge SherrodHayes Sherrod

Surviving Sibling:

Nancilee Kay (Moore) Fields (Bobby)

Lyle is also lovingly remembered by his Extended Family:

From Nancilee’s Family:

Niece Ann Marie King (Brad)Great-nephew Zachary Murdock (Kaylee), and their children:
Hazel Grace, Grant Lane, and Truett AmesGreat-nephew Jonathon Murdock (Madison), and their children:
Liz, Joaquin, and Annie LouNiece Carri Fields Sellers (Karen)Nephew Chris Fields (Jessica), and their children:
Madeline K. Fields and Avery Fields

From his late wife Muriel’s side:

Brother-in-law Reese Kessler and his daughters
Niece Rebecca (Kessler) Cardoso (Orlando) and their children Kit and EliNiece Rachel Kessler, and her son Cameron Owen KesslerNiece Victoria (King) Sanders (Greg) and Victoria’s son Phillip King (Bethany) and granddaughter RhiannonNiece Liz Parrish, and her daughters Lauren Danielle Parrish and Carling Nicole ParrishNephew Frank Ranieri (Melinda) and childrenNiece Darlene Fogle and familyNiece Linda Fogle and familyNiece Michelle Williams and familyand many more additional extended family

Flowers are welcome and appreciated by the family. For those who prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Library and Museum Association at http://ussnautilus.org/donate-now/

Lyle was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, where the USS Nautilus (SSN-571): the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine is now preserved as a museum and historic landmark. Although he did not serve aboard the Nautilus, he recently said Groton was his favorite duty station and where he had the most fun during his 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Supporting this museum honors not only Lyle’s service but also the history of submarine innovation and the sailors who served beneath the surface.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by W.R. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Clermont, GA.