Obituary of Melvin Moore

Melvin Emmett Moore passed from this life at his home, on November 28, 2020, at the age of 89. Melvin was born August 31, 1931 on a ranch east of Harrisburg, Oregon to his Mother, Jewel (Kester) Moore, and his Father, Emmett Frank Moore. His sister, Theda Jackson, passed just months prior to Melvin's death. Melvin grew up in the Willamette Valley, graduating from Canby Union High School in 1949. He was active in the Future Famers of America, and named Oregon Future Farmer of the year in 1949. Melvin’s lifetime passion for airplanes and flight led him to join the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD, as a mechanic on the B-36 bomber. He went on to work for Boeing on the 707 in Seattle as a flight control and functional test mechanic. He attended Edison Technical School, Air Trades Division earning his A and P certificates. Mel worked for United Air Lines as a mechanic; during that time took up flying private planes. He went on to fly commercially for Frontier Airlines as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727, and as co-pilot on the Convair 580 and Boeing737 for 18 years. Melvin married Geraldine Hofer in 1956, and moved to Seattle to begin a family. In 1964 the family moved to Denver, following Melvin’s flight career. In 1975 the family moved to the foothills outside of Denver, in a home that he and his wife Jerry designed and built. He resided at his home until his death. Mel and Jerry enjoyed traveling both in the US and abroad. Mel was a vast treasure of knowledge and experience. Although Alzheimer disease came in Mel’s later years, he stayed at his home enjoying the wildlife and birds that prospered in his care. Mel was a shining star of a life lived in service to community and church. He served the Presbyterian Church in many capacities at Westminster Presbyterian, and St. Andrew in Boulder. In his mountain community, he fought the mountain pine beetle infestation, served on the water board and home owners board, and was always there for neighbors in need. He and Jerry volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for twenty-one years, where he continued his passion for flight, now as an educator in the Space Odyssey exhibit. Melvin led a life of dedication and commitment, and was a loving and capable husband and father. He is survived by his wife Jerry of 64 years, his son Glenn of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and his daughter Elizabeth (Susan) of Golden, Colorado. He is also survived by extended family members in Oregon. Melvin will be smiling from Heaven, and we were lucky to have had him in our lives. The Moore Family has selected two organizations for gifts in Melvin’s memory: The Denver Museum of Nature and Science Space Odyssey and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. Please visit the donation tab if you would like to make a contribution.