Tom Moore

Fresno, CA

Tom Moore

August 21, 1939 - July 17, 2008

Tom Moore, Owner of Moore Quality Galvanizing, died peacefully and with dignity on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at the age of 68 after a 15 month battle with cancer. Tom passed into God's arms while in his home and surrounded by family. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 21, 1939. Tom was the eighth and youngest child of Wilmer "Roy" and Frances Emma Moore. At the age of three, Tom and his family moved to Stockton, California, where his father obtained a job with Western Pacific Railroad. Tom started working at the age of ten helping his brothers develop a family trucking business. He swept floors, washed trucks as well as any other odd jobs he could and by the age of sixteen, he was driving trucks and putting in many long hours.

After completing high school he attended college for two years with aspirations of becoming an architect. At the age of 20, he moved to Fresno to help open and run a second trucking terminal for Moore Truck Lines. In 1965, it was truly love at first sight when he met his wife, Marie. On September 24, 1966, he and Marie married at the Chapel at Highlands Inn in Carmel, California. They would go back every year on their anniversary and dream of having a home there and soon that dream was answered and they would enjoy their hideaway. Tom would love to call the kids in the summer and tell them they had a fire going and Fresno would be 110 degrees. The marriage had been blessed with three children, Jeffrey Max Moore of Rogue River, Oregon, Kellie Marie Bridges of Fresno and Stacey Moore Detels of Coto de Caza, California. They have eight grandchildren, Kristopher and Ashley Moore, Justin, Madison Marie, and Blake Thomas Bridges, and Brenden, Tera Marie and Ethan Thomas Detels.

In 1984, Tom found a need for Galvanizing in the Valley. He went to Marie and said he needed her help. She was ready and excited to do this with him. They truly were a team. With lots of hard work and a wonderful engineer, now a "very close friend", on June 21, 1984, they opened Moore Quality Galvanizing. As of 2008, they've been opened and have enjoyed 24 wonderful years working together.

Tom was a member of the National Guard, the Madera Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge, Board of American Galvanizing Association, a member of San Joaquin Country Club, attended Northwest Church when in town and Shoreline Church in Carmel. Tom enjoyed golf, cars, music, dancing, cards, good friends, loved to cook and their home in Carmel. Tom loved his dogs and you would see him with either one in his lap or in his arms. Tom was a devoted and loving husband, father and Papa. He will be missed by us all.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hager, Dr. Chooljian, the Doctors at UCLA, and Saint Agnes Hospice for all their care. Also a special thank you to Yolanda and Maria for giving such special, tender care to Tom. We want to extend our gratitude to all of our friends for their loving support through this difficult time. It is with love, tears, laughter and wonderful memories Marie and family give him back to God to rest in peace.

Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, his one son, Jeff; daughter-in-law, Teri; daughter, Kellie; son-in-law, Craig; and daughter Stacey; son-in-law, Ed; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret O'Day and Mrs. Carol Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will held at the G.L. Johnson Chapel at People's Church on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. CHAPEL OF THE LIGHT Funeral Home, 1620 West Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA (559)233-6254 "Everything in one beautiful place"