Troy Moore

Troy Moore, 87, crossed over peacefully on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026.
His life was truly beautiful, incredible, and adventurous. He entered the world on October 18, 1938, in Gilmer, Texas, born to Chester and Essie Moore. He grew up held by family and history, with three devoted brothers, Bud, Chester (Bubba), and Ted (Rabbit), and a sister, Mary, whose life was heartbreakingly brief and never forgotten.
As a boy, Troy wandered through lazy fields of tall green grass, along sun-dappled creeks, and down red-brick streets alive with quiet whispers. Gilmer was his first classroom. Even then, he wanted to know the origins of things, the beginnings, the source, the why behind God's creation. Troy was baptized in a lake on May 14, 1950, at the age of twelve, by Deacon Jack Johnson at Cypress Street Church of Christ.
He carried a hunger for understanding, a thirst that followed him from boyhood into every season of his life. Friends remember his thoughtful debates, his curiosity, and his constant observing. It is no surprise that he loved school, that he felt at home in the halls of learning. Teachers were drawn to his keen, sagacious mind, and he graduated high school as valedictorian with numerous academic honors.
In 1957, Troy continued his education, earning a bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Science from Texas Southern University, where the future Nobel laureate Toni Morrison was also a teacher. Still restless for purpose and service, Troy joined the United States Air Force on October 12, 1960, beginning a distinguished military career as an enlisted airman and noncommissioned officer. His life soon took a defining turn when Calvin Montague introduced him to his twin sister, Clara. Two years later, Troy and Clara were married in Dover, Delaware. In 1964, they welcomed their first son, Eric L. Moore.
Troy rose to the rank of E-6 (Technical Sergeant), serving with distinction as a pharmacist. In 1966, he was accepted into Officer Training School and commissioned as a second lieutenant. In 1971, Troy and Clara were blessed with twin sons, Daryl and Steven, and the shape of their family was made complete.
Across decades of military service, Troy's life unfolded across continents and command posts, including seven years at the Pentagon, the White House, in classified and intelligence roles, and throughout Vietnam, California, Dover, Alaska, Virginia, Maryland, Kansas City, Illinois, Central America, and Panama, among many others. His intellectual hunger never quieted. Alongside his service, he earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska, an MBA from Central Michigan University, and a PhD in Business Management from George Washington University, degrees that reflected a lifelong devotion to learning, discipline, and excellence. He also belonged to the fraternities of Kappa, Honorary Alpha Kappa Mu, and Chi Delta Mu.
Faith was the steady compass of Troy's life. He served as deacon and elder for numerous congregations, including Dale City Church of Christ (Virginia), Overland Park Church of Christ (Kansas), Waldorf Church of Christ (Maryland), Balboa Church of Christ (Panama), and Hawthorn Church of Christ (Illinois). Walking in the footsteps of his minister father, Troy felt a deep and abiding call to preach. Time and again, even while on active duty, he stepped into the pulpit. Upon retiring from the United States Air Force at the esteemed rank of Lieutenant Colonel after more than three decades of service, including a special operations assignment during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he entered full-time ministry. For more than three decades, he served as minister of the Hawthorn Church of Christ, shepherding souls with wisdom, humility, and grace.
Troy was married to his beloved Clara for 57 years, until her sudden passing on July 30, 2018. Without her, he felt unmoored, as if storm clouds followed his every step. Yet love found him again. On December 31, 2019, Troy married Tatannya Lajay Wooden, and together they embraced new adventures and joys for six cherished years. In this marriage, Troy welcomed Nina, Christopher, and Tyron II into his life and shared a home filled with affection, laughter, and four cherished cats, Pepsi, Cola, Bully, and Baby. During Troy's illness, Baby never left his side, a quiet and faithful presence to the very end.
Troy Moore crossed over peacefully on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026.
He lived a life shaped by wonder, devotion, faith, and love. He was deeply blessed and a blessing to all who knew him. He will be missed beyond measure by his family and friends, and we look forward with hope to the next great adventure with him beyond the clouds.
Troy is survived by his wife, Tatannya Lajay Moore; his son, Eric Moore, and wife Robin (Burke, Virginia); his twin sons, Daryl Moore (Huntsville, Alabama) and Steven Troy Moore (Abilene, Texas); his grandchildren, Kristle Claire Moore and her husband Tristan French-Joseph, Melisha Moore and her husband Phillip Jordan Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Mijah, Malijah, Zak, Medina, Zyhier, and Zamir (Bremerhaven, Germany); Tay's children, Nina (Madison, Wisconsin), Christopher (Abilene, Texas), and Tyron II (Madison, Wisconsin); his brothers-in-law, Paul Wooden and his wife Michelle (St. John, Indiana), Vakytus Wooden and his wife Cynthia (Gary, Indiana), and Vasshon Wooden (Minneapolis, Minnesota); and his niece, Doris Moore (Gilmer, Texas), and nephew, Abdu Salim (Paris, France).