Gary Moore Obituary

Gary Moore Age 68, passed away on September 11, 2008 of a sudden stroke. He is survived by Mary Lou, his wife of 45 years, his mother Phyllis Moore, sister Sharron (Pete), daughter Trisha (Stacy), and son Chris (Alicia). He was the proud grandpa of Tanner, Conner, Corbin, and Molly. He will also be missed by his many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was born in Tacoma in 1940 and raised in Puyallup. He graduated from Franklin Pierce High School and Western Washington University, where he played football all four years. He spent his entire career as a high school teacher and head football coach at Issaquah High School, where he earned a 137-72-3 record with three league championships, four playoff appearances, including a 1980 King Bowl appearance where his team earned 2nd in state. He was honored as State Coach of the Year in 1984 by the National High School Coaches Association. He had a huge impact on all the young people he coached and taught. He was known for his devotion to his family and his love of golf and travel. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time with his four grandchildren. Gary was also an active member of Rainier View Christian Church. He lived his life to the fullest and will be very missed by all whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to "WWU Foundation in memory of Gary Moore" at 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9034, or you may donate online at www.wwu.edu/give . A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2008, 1:30PM at Rainier View Christian Church, 12305 Spanaway Loop Road South, Tacoma 98444.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Sep. 13, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Moore

10 Entries

Hank Pugsley

September 29, 2008

I remember Gary as a easy going guy who was a great athelete at WWSU, as my housemate during my Senior year and as a fellow Driver Education Teacher. Gary, Jack Hein, Jim Rife, Ken Enne, Harold Buckner and myself lived in a big old house on High Street in Bellingham during the 1961-62 school year. I look back with fond memories of the good times we shared. Gary left his loved ones way to soon and my sympathy goes out to them with the knowlegde that their loss is shared by many who knew him in a variety of stages of his life.

Francine & Steve Chick

September 17, 2008

Mary Lou, Trish and Stacy, Chris and Alicia - We have been so blessed to be welcomed into your family. You and Gary have invited us into your home and your lives and we are so grateful for the years we have enjoyed Gary's friendship. Steve & I share in your sorrow. As we consider Gary's life the words that echo in our thoughts are these: "He was such a great man!" I know you will miss him deeply and we are here to stand with you whenever you need us. Love & Prayers

Lanny Wilson

September 15, 2008

Mary Lou, Trisha, Chris,

During these difficult times be reassured that the lives Gary touched were better because of him. I had the opportunity to know him from the time I was very young as my father and Gary spent many years together at Issaquah High. Gary always had time for his students and athletes and we were all blessed to have had him in our lives, he will be missed.

My entire family shares your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times.

The Wilsons

David Mackintosh

September 15, 2008

Coach Moore had a profound and positive impact on me as a student athlete at Issaquah High School. I carry his influence with me every day as I know is the case with the many young lives he touched. I'd like to offer my condolensces to his family and close friends. Thanks Coach.

Jerri Zimmerman Wood

September 14, 2008

To quote my brother, Larry, "A GREAT MAN! Inspired, instilled, taught and mentored alot". Larry had the good fortune of playing football as an Issaquah Indian for 3 years, '75-'77. Coach made football exciting for those on the field and for the rest of us in the stands. Great teachers and coaches teach lessons that withstand the test of time. The plays he called, the locker room 'talks' and all those other conversations he had with his student/athletes still echo in the hearts and minds of all he touched. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. God's peace to you and yours, now and always.

Patty Graham

September 14, 2008

Mary Lou, Trisha and Chris,

Our love and thoughts go to all of you. Gary's passing leaves a big hole in the heart of this family. I knew him all my life and will remember him enjoying life to the fullest, taking trips with Mary Lou and always stopping every year to visit with his Aunts, Vi and Tommie, in Carson City. He was such a good kid and grew up to be a very wonderful, decent and carrying man. He was truly a great role model for hiis children and grandchildren.

Much love to you all,
Patty and Dave Graham and family, Aunt Vi and Aunt Tommie.

Nancy Rice

September 14, 2008

Mary Lou, Trisha and Chris: Please accept my sincere sympathy for the loss of your Husband and Father. It is always difficult to find words of comfort at these times in our lives but I was reminded of some thing Gary wrote to me in a sympathy card he sent when Elvin passed away. He was referring to the sudden & unexpected event that happened to us and he wrote, "I don't pretend to know why, but I am convinced that ALL things happen for a reason beyond our understanding". This was a great comfort to me and I hope that for each of you knowing that Gary felt this way about the unexpected events that sometimes happen to us in life will be of a great comfort to you. It is and will always be an honor to have known this VERY SPECIAL man. My Love and Prayers are with you.

Dee Hawkes

September 14, 2008

Mary Lou,
May God bless you during this difficult time. He has taken both your father and husband to be with Him. Two special men who loved to coach. They are now together talking about old times and telling each other how much they love their families and friends. As Gary's friend, we cherished competing against each other. Gary was certainly a coach among coaches. He could walk his talk as a man of principle.
Be strong for your family.
Dee Hawkes

BRYCE & MARY MOORE

September 14, 2008

TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF GARY MOORE. AS EVERYONE KNOWS GARY WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON AND LOVED BY EVERY LIFE HE TOUCHED. HE WILL BE MISSED BY EVERY ONE OF THESE LIVES. HE WILL ALSO BE MISSED BY MARY AND I HIS COUSIN FOR 68 YEARS.

Paula Rice-Bramsche

September 13, 2008

Mary Lou, Trisha and Chris, I am so very sorry for your loss. Gary will always be a HERO to me, he was with my Dad when he suffered a fatal heart attack at Lipoma Firs. I know that Gary did every thing he possibly could to save my Dad and I will be forever grateful to him. I also thank God that Gary and Bob were with my Dad when he passed, it has brought me great comfort over the years to know that he was not alone but with two of his best friends. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

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